PH Investment Approvals Near ₱1T, Rise 53% in 9 Months

Investment approvals in the Philippines reached ₱900.06 billion in the first nine months of 2026, putting the country within reach of its ₱1 trillion full-year target and highlighting continued opportunities across energy, infrastructure, digital industries, logistics, manufacturing, and tourism-related activities.

The January-to-September figure was 53.05% higher than the same period last year and already represented 90% of the full-year target, with three months remaining in 2026.

The 207 approved projects are expected to generate 21,524 jobs. In September alone, investment approvals surged to ₱278.21 billion from ₱56.49 billion a year earlier, a 392.5% increase. The September approvals covered 27 projects projected to create at least 2,068 jobs.

Trade Secretary and Board of Investments (BOI) Chair Cristina A. Roque said the strong performance reflects growing investor interest in the Philippines as a destination for expansion and long-term growth.

“The surge in investment approvals recorded during the first nine months of 2026 reflects growing investor interest in the Philippines as a premier destination for growth and expansion. The DTI through BOI will continue pursuing investments that advance our industrial capabilities, drive technological innovation, and generate high-value employment nationwide,” Roque said.

The energy sector remained the dominant contributor to approved investments, with the electricity, gas, steam, and air-conditioning supply industry accounting for ₱740.14 billion, or 82.23% of the total.

Investments approved in the sector increased 75.2% from ₱422.34 billion in the first nine months of 2025. The approved projects are expected to generate 1,903 jobs, up 71.6% from 1,109 jobs a year earlier.

The sector’s performance was driven by major hydropower, wind, solar, and other energy projects, underscoring the continuing investment potential of the Philippines’ power and renewable energy market.

Other major contributors included real estate activities with ₱46.66 billion in approved investments, transportation and storage with ₱36.47 billion, information and communication with ₱18.36 billion, and manufacturing with ₱14.86 billion.

The information and communication sector nearly doubled its approved investments, posting a 96.47% increase from the previous year. Accommodation and food service activities also recorded strong growth, rising 265.5% to ₱8.13 billion.

Water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities posted one of the largest percentage increases, surging 3,116.6% from ₱209.73 million to ₱6.75 billion. Wholesale and retail trade, including the repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, increased 314.7% to ₱3.75 billion.

Domestic investors continued to account for the overwhelming majority of approved investments, contributing ₱808.96 billion, or 89.88% of the total. This was 60.5% higher than the ₱503.95 billion recorded during the same period in 2025.

The Cordillera Administrative Region attracted the largest volume of approved investments at ₱218.48 billion, followed by the Ilocos Region at ₱199.75 billion, Central Luzon at ₱130.81 billion, Eastern Visayas at ₱76.84 billion, CALABARZON at ₱58.37 billion, and the National Capital Region at ₱49.88 billion.

Several regions also posted substantial year-on-year gains. Caraga recorded the fastest growth, with approved investments rising 1,731.5% from ₱924.7 million to ₱16.94 billion. Western Visayas increased 296.5% from ₱10.79 billion to ₱42.77 billion, while the Ilocos Region grew 136.6% from ₱84.41 billion to ₱199.44 billion.

Foreign investment commitments also maintained momentum, reaching ₱90.40 billion as of September.

Singapore remained the largest source of foreign investment approvals at ₱42.71 billion, or 46.9% of the total, followed by South Korea at ₱27.44 billion, China at ₱4.07 billion, Japan at ₱3.11 billion, the Netherlands at ₱2.15 billion, Australia at ₱1.57 billion, and the United States at ₱1.33 billion.

South Korean investment approvals posted the most dramatic increase among major foreign sources, rising 10,332.7% from ₱263 million in the same period last year to ₱27.44 billion. Australian investments increased 657.3% from ₱207.9 million to ₱1.57 billion, while Chinese investments rose 348.1% from ₱908.2 million to ₱4.07 billion.

“As we enter the final quarter in 2026, the BOI will continue to actively promote the Philippines as a prime destination for investments. The strong approvals recorded thus far demonstrate not only the resilience of the Philippine economy but also the interest of investors in the country’s long-term growth prospects. We remain optimistic that investment momentum will continue through the remainder of the year,” said Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo.

The investment pipeline comes as the Philippines continues to strengthen policies intended to attract and facilitate strategic investments. Among these initiatives is the Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP), which identifies priority sectors and activities eligible for incentives under the CREATE MORE Act.

The government is also implementing a Green Lane for Strategic Investments designed to expedite the processing of high-impact projects.

With investment approvals already at 90% of the ₱1 trillion full-year target, the figures point to continued opportunities in energy, infrastructure, digital services, manufacturing, logistics, tourism, and other growth sectors as the Philippines heads into the final quarter of 2026.

The combination of strong domestic participation, rising foreign commitments, and a growing pipeline of projects positions the Philippines to sustain investment momentum beyond 2026.