Philippine foreign investment pledges surge 125% to P166 billion in Q3 2026

Foreign investment pledges approved by Philippine agencies more than doubled year on year to P166.03 billion in the third quarter of 2026, driven by commitments from Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea. Manufacturing and power-related sectors accounted for the bulk of approvals, with Central Luzon rec

Foreign investment pledges approved by Philippine investment promotion agencies more than doubled to P166.03 billion in the third quarter of 2026, according to preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. The figure represents a 125.3% jump from the P74 billion recorded in the same period last year and a 43.57% increase from the P115.64 billion approved in the April-to-June quarter.

Taiwan accounted for the largest share of third-quarter pledges at 46% or P76.27 billion, followed by Singapore at P40.48 billion, South Korea at P29.48 billion, the Netherlands at P3.712 billion and Japan at P3.7 billion. Six of the country's 16 investment promotion agencies approved commitments during the period, led by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority with P87.55 billion (52.73% of the total) and the Board of Investments with P76.58 billion (46.12%).

Manufacturing drew 51.89% of foreign pledges at P86.16 billion, while electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning accounted for P52.61 billion. By region, Central Luzon received 46.34% or P76.94 billion, Calabarzon 19.7% or P33 billion, and the Cordillera Administrative Region 16.98% or P28.2 billion.

Total approved investments from both foreign and Filipino nationals reached P628.19 billion in the third quarter, up 82.7% from P343.81 billion a year earlier. The PSA said the approved projects are expected to generate 27,799 jobs, a 0.2% decline from the 27,843 expected in the same period of 2025; of these, 13,805 positions will come from foreign-interest projects.

Diana R. Rueda, an economics professor at the University of Asia & the Pacific, said the jump in pledges shows the Philippines remains an attractive investment destination despite uncertainties. Jonathan L. Ravelas, a senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong & Co. in Manila, said there is a need to ensure investors' long-term interest by reducing business costs.

Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go said total investments approved by the Board of Investments, PEZA and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority reached P1.4 trillion in the first 10 months, up 39% from P1.06 trillion last year. Trade Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo noted that the BoI's end-October investments of P942.86 billion represent 94% of its P1-trillion target for 2026, with renewable energy accounting for 79% of the total, followed by real estate and housing (6%), transportation and storage (5.3%), hotels and accommodation (2.3%), and information and communications technology (2%).