President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. lifted the previous ban on new economic zone accreditations in Metro Manila, allowing the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to resume processing applications for new IT parks and centers in the capital region. The policy change reverses a 2019 Duterte administration order that restricted new ecozones in NCR to encourage investments in provinces. Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said the move will address investor demand, create more opportunities for expansion, and strengthen the Philippines’ position as a global destination for digital services. Metro Manila remains the country’s leading hub for IT-BPM companies, accounting for a majority of office transactions in the sector despite previous restrictions. The government expects the reopening of NCR ecozones to attract more investments, generate jobs, and support the growth of the digital economy amid challenges brought by artificial intelligence adoption.
METRO MANILA REOPENS TO NEW ECONOMIC ZONES AS GOVERNMENT BOOSTS IT-BPM INVESTMENTS
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