PEZA rebounds strongly under Marcos administration

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is experiencing a significant resurgence under the Marcos administration, with total approved investments reaching P530.59 billion from 2022 to April 2025.

Official data show a consistent upward trend: P140.7 billion in 2022, P175.71 billion in 2023, P214.18 billion in 2024, and P63.5 billion during the first four months of 2025. At this pace, PEZA could potentially surpass its record high of P312 billion in approved investments set in 2012.

In a video update released Thursday, PEZA highlighted the momentum gained from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s economic strategy, including the proclamation of 27 new economic zones across the country between 2023 and November 2024. These newly designated ecozones alone have brought in nearly P9 billion in investments and helped generate around 1.8 million jobs.

PEZA Director General Tereso Panga credited the agency’s revival to the administration’s emphasis on employment and inclusive economic transformation. “The President’s goal is to elevate the country to upper-middle-income status. That can only happen through job generation and sustained economic activity,” Panga said.

Panga, who has served the agency for over two decades, recently submitted his courtesy resignation following President Marcos’ directive for heads of agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) to vacate their posts as part of a leadership review. The move came before the Governance Commission for GOCCs issued an official addendum to its notice on the matter.

Panga joined PEZA in 1998 and steadily rose through the ranks, holding key roles such as Zone Administrator, Deputy Director General for Policy and Planning, and ultimately Director General.