Philippines' BOI on Track to Meet P1 Trillion Investment Target

The Philippines' Board of Investments (BOI) is confidently approaching its target of P1 trillion in investment approvals for 2026, having already secured P900.06 billion in commitments as of September. This figure marks a 53.05% increase compared to the same period in 2025 and accounts for 90% of the annual goal, according to Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo.

Rodolfo expressed confidence that the target will be met and that efforts are underway to exceed it. The BOI's performance is supported by a robust project pipeline and a focus on transformative investments, including renewable energy.

“Ceferino Rodolfo said he is confident that the BOI will hit the P1 trillion investment target and that they are working to exceed it.”Ceferino Rodolfo, Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head

In September alone, the BOI approved investments amounting to P278.21 billion, nearly five times the P56.49 billion recorded in the same month last year. Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said this surge reflects growing investor interest in the Philippines as a premier destination for growth and expansion.

Investment approvals have been particularly strong in the energy sector, which accounted for P740.14 billion, or 82.23% of total approvals. This represents a 75.2% increase from the previous year, driven by major projects in hydropower, wind, and solar energy. Other sectors showing significant investment include real estate, transportation and storage, information and communication, and manufacturing.

Despite a slowdown in the country’s economic growth, which registered 2.1% in the third quarter of 2026, Rodolfo noted that investors are increasingly focused on long-term prospects rather than short-term economic fluctuations. He said the investments promoted are transformative and that investors are looking beyond short-term quarterly GDP figures.

“Rodolfo noted that the investments promoted are transformative and that investors are focusing on long-term prospects rather than short-term quarterly GDP.”Ceferino Rodolfo, Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head

For 2027, the BOI is considering raising its investment approvals target, reflecting the strong performance this year and the numerous projects still in the pipeline. Francis M. Peñaflor, acting director at the BOI’s Resource-Based Industries Service, said he believes the target will be increased.

The agency is also looking to improve the enabling environment for investors, addressing concerns about red tape and logistical inefficiencies that have historically affected investment in the Philippines.

“Francis M. Peñaflor said he believes the BOI's investment approvals target will be increased for 2027.”Francis M. Peñaflor, Acting Director at BOI’s Resource-Based Industries Service

Rodolfo said the BOI plans to focus on long-term industrial policy planning and providing an enabling environment for investments to come into the BOI and other investment promotion agencies (IPAs).

The BOI is implementing initiatives such as the Strategic Investment Priority Plan under the CREATE MORE Act and the Green Lane initiative, which seek to accelerate the processing of strategic, high-impact projects and support sustained economic growth and job creation.