A recalibration of the Philippines’ investment targets for 2026 remains possible as the government assesses the economic fallout from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said, noting that support measures are already being rolled out for affected sectors.
“Definitely. We will have a meeting on that,” Roque said in an interview Monday night.
For 2026, the Board of Investments (BOI) has set a PHP1-trillion investment approval target, factoring in potential headwinds from global developments.
In 2025, the BOI approved investments totaling PHP1.56 trillion.
Data released by the BOI on Monday showed a sharp increase in project activity, with approved projects rising 338 percent to 35 as of end-February this year, from eight in the same period last year.
Foreign investment approvals also surged by 943.4 percent to PHP3.1 billion, up from PHP0.3 billion in the comparable period in 2026.
Trade performance likewise improved in the previous year, with exports growing 15.3 percent — rebounding from a 0.5-percent contraction in 2024 — while imports expanded by 5.2 percent, reversing an 8-percent decline a year earlier.
Despite these gains, Roque warned that investment growth could slow in 2026 following the escalation of military operations involving the United States, Israel, and Iran that began on Feb. 28.
“Definitely we’ll be affected. Because, I mean, now it’s crisis all over, so everything will be standstill until at least this is over,” she said.
To cushion the impact, Roque said the government is implementing support measures, including loan programs for key sectors such as micro, small and medium enterprises, exporters, and overseas Filipino workers. (PNA)
