BOI-approved investments up 21 percent in H1

MANILA, Philippines — Investment commitments approved by the Board of Investments (BOI) rose by more than a fifth in the first half from a year ago, reflecting investor confidence in the country’s economic fundamentals and growth prospects.

In a statement, BOI, an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), said that it approved P461.84 billion worth of investments in the first semester, 21 percent higher than the P382.24 billion in the same period last year.

The approved investments from January to June are for 124 projects that are expected to create 14,415 direct jobs.

Trade Secretary and BOl chairman Cristina Roque said that the strong performance shows confidence in the country as an investment destination amid continued government efforts to enhance competitiveness and improve ease of doing business.

“The strong growth in DTI-BOl-approved investments reflects investors’ confidence in the Philippines and in the Marcos Jr. administration’s reform policies. We are making it easier to invest, expand and do business in the country,” she said.

“Our focus now is to turn these investment commitments into operating projects that create quality jobs, strengthen industries and deliver lasting opportunities for Filipinos,” Roque also said.

The bulk of the BOI-approved investments in the first half came from domestic firms, amounting to P447.32 billion, 41 percent higher year-on-year.

Meanwhile, foreign investments amounted to P14.16 billion in the first semester.

Singapore was the top source of foreign investments approved by the BOI in the first half, accounting for P3.15 billion.

This was followed by China at P1.13 billion, the United States at P1.06 billion, Australia at P961 million and Japan at P873 million.

By sector, energy, including renewable energy, accounted for the largest share of BOI-approved investments in the first semester at P343.47 billion or 74.25 percent of the total.

Other major contributors to the BOl-approved investments include real estate activities with P36.55 billion, air and water transport with P36.25 billion, mining and quarrying at P14.64 billion, hotel, tourism and accommodation projects at P7.58 billion and manufacturing at P7.22 billion.

In terms of location, the Cordillera Administrative Region registered the highest level of approved investments at P150.40 billion.

This was followed by the Ilocos Region at P144.13 billion, the National Capital Region at P48.78 billion, Central Luzon at P33.55 billion, Caraga at P16.93 billion and Central Visayas at P13.97 billion.

Through the implementation of CREATE MORE, the Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) and the Green Lane for Strategic Investments, Trade Undersecretary and BOI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo said the agency is ensuring that investors receive policy support and facilitation mechanisms needed to move projects from approval to operation.

“These reforms are helping position the Philippines as a preferred location for strategic, high-value and job-generating investments,” he said.

He said that the new 2026 to 2028 SIPP, which identifies activities qualified for government incentives, will be instrumental in hitting the BOI’s P1-trillion investment approvals target for the year.

“This is important for us to hit or to realize the P1-trillion target of the BOI. And equally important is the quality of the investments that we’re trying to bring in,” he said, noting that the SIPP focuses on incentivizing innovation-driven investments or the industries of the future.

He said that the BOI is fast-tracking the finalization of the SIPP’s General Policies and Specific Guidelines, which are eyed for publication within the current quarter.

Last Friday, the BOI officially launched the nationwide SIPP Roadshow, starting with its Luzon leg at the Makati Diamond Residences to present investment opportunities identified under the country’s investment roadmap.

The roadshow will continue in the Visayas and Mindanao in the coming weeks.