BOI approvals hit P1.56 trillion in 2025 as investor confidence holds

The Philippines sustained strong investor confidence in 2025 as the Board of Investments (BOI) approved P1.56 trillion worth of projects, breaching the P1.5-trillion mark for the second straight year and marking the agency’s second-highest approval level in its 58-year history.

By the numbers

• Total approved investments: P1.56 trillion

• Projects approved: 322

• Jobs expected: 40,175 nationwide

Trade Secretary and BOI Chair Cristina Roque said the milestone underscores policy credibility and sustained investor trust amid global economic uncertainty.

“Breaching the P1.5 trillion mark for two consecutive years and posting the second-highest investment approvals in BOI’s 58-year history highlights the Philippines’ growing competitiveness and the sustained trust of both local and foreign investors,” Roque said in a press statement.

The record high remains the P1.62 trillion in investment approvals recorded in 2024, data showed.

Trade Secretary and BOI Chair Cristina Roque

"“Our focus moving forward is to ensure that these investments translate into quality jobs, technology transfer, and sustainable economic growth that benefits Filipinos nationwide."

Driving sectors

Investment approvals in 2025 were led by the energy sector, which accounted for P970.09 billion, reflecting continued momentum in power generation and related Infrastructure, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said in the statement.

Other major contributors:

• Mass Housing: P241.65 billion
• Transportation and Storage: P230.06 billion
• Manufacturing: P62.16 billion
• Information and Communication: P26.56 billion

Together, these sectors point to sustained investments in energy security, logistics, mobility, industrial expansion, and digital infrastructure.

Local vs. foreign

• Local investments: P1.41 trillion
• Foreign investments: P149.45 billion

The National Capital Region (NCR) emerged as the top investment destination, attracting P383.71 billion in approved projects. It was followed by the following:

• Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR): P373.39 billion
• CALABARZON (Region IV-A): P257.83 billion
• Bicol Region: P123.61 billion
• Central Luzon (Region III): P105.13 billion

These figures reflect strong regional participation in large-scale and strategic projects beyond Metro Manila.

Foreign capital sources

Foreign investment approvals were led by:

• Singapore: P80.37 billion
• The Netherlands: P33.29 billion
• Thailand: P7.75 billion
• United States: P6.91 billion
• Switzerland: P4.33 billion

What’s next

Beyond headline figures, Roque emphasized the catalytic role of BOI-approved projects in transforming the economy and addressing social needs. 

These projects span renewable energy, physical and digital infrastructure, high-value manufacturing, modern transport and logistics, and mass housing.

Looking ahead, the BOI sees strong prospects in renewable energy, electric vehicle components, semiconductors and electronics, smart manufacturing, digital infrastructure, high-tech agriculture, and data centers.

Roque noted that several big-ticket projects remain in the pipeline but require more time for evaluation due to their scale and strategic importance.

“Our focus moving forward is to ensure that these investments translate into quality jobs, technology transfer, and sustainable economic growth that benefits Filipinos nationwide,” she said. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma