Presented during the 4th Meeting of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industry Advisory Council (SEIAC) on March 23 at Malacañang, the roadmap positions the Philippines as a premier global packaging partner, targeting $70 billion in semiconductor exports and $40 billion in electronics exports by 2030. A five-year workforce plan will also train and upskill 128,000 semiconductor professionals to meet the industry’s evolving technical demands.

Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto, who chairs the Council, reaffirmed the Marcos administration’s commitment to implementing the roadmap’s priority actions. He highlighted the semiconductor and electronics sector—responsible for nearly 60 percent of the country’s export earnings and employing around three million Filipinos—as a critical driver of economic growth and job creation.

“It is an employment leader and economic winner essential to national progress,” Recto said.

Following the Council’s endorsement, BOI Executive Director Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa detailed the roadmap’s strategic vision and the government support needed to achieve its objectives.

Developed by DTI in coordination with industry stakeholders, research institutions, and partner government agencies, the PSEI Roadmap identifies interventions across the semiconductor value chain—from advanced packaging and integrated circuit (IC) design to long-term front-end manufacturing capabilities. The plan also includes establishing up to three national semiconductor laboratories, each with specialized research, fabrication, R&D roadmaps, and talent development frameworks.

DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque stressed the importance of the roadmap in sustaining the Philippines’ leadership in semiconductor exports.

“Semiconductors are our number one export, and we want to keep growing that. The PSEI Roadmap tells us exactly what we need to do—and who needs to do it,” Roque said.
“The more this sector grows, the more jobs it creates for our people.”

Roque added that the roadmap provides a framework for moving up the value chain—from packaging to IC design and, eventually, wafer fabrication.

“The biggest driver of that transition is not just promotion but policy reform, and this roadmap identifies exactly the reforms we need to make it happen,” she said.

The Council also flagged the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairmanship as an opportunity to highlight the country as an emerging semiconductor hub in the region. Recto directed strict monitoring of the roadmap, including setting deadlines, assigning responsibilities, and identifying reforms requiring legislation, executive action, or budgetary support.

“Otherwise, it is just paper with ambition printed on it,” Recto said.

The financing, signed on March 17, 2026, will support the Marine Ecosystems for Blue Economy Development Program Subprogram 1 (MEBED1), a government initiative focused on strengthening the protection, restoration, and sustainable management of coastal and marine resources.

Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go said the investment is aimed at turning environmental protection into a driver of economic growth.

“By strengthening the foundations of the blue economy, we are securing livelihoods, raising incomes, and reinforcing a vital engine of national growth, today and for the future,” he said in a news release.

The €200-million financing from KfW will fund reforms and operations to improve regulatory capacity and address long-standing challenges in managing the country’s marine and coastal ecosystems.

The program is expected to benefit over three million Filipinos, including fisherfolk, aquaculture operators, and tourism workers, by creating more sustainable income opportunities and strengthening the resilience of coastal communities.

The agreement was signed by Secretary Go and KfW Management Committee Member Stephan Opitz, underscoring the growing development partnership between the Philippines and Germany.

Go said the deal reflects a shared commitment to aligning environmental protection with economic development.

The signing ceremony was attended by DOF Undersecretary Joven Z. Balbosa and German Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Mathias Kruse.

KfW is Germany’s state-owned development bank, headquartered in Frankfurt, and is among the largest development financing institutions in the world.

The assessment report released on February 12, 2026 highlighted the country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals, sound regulatory framework, and resilient financial system.

“Moody’s assessment affirms that the Philippines is on the right track. We will continue to uphold fiscal discipline, accelerate strategic investments, and fast track reforms toward sustainable growth,” Secretary Go said in a news release dated Feb. 17.

According to Moody’s assessment, the Philippines’ Baa2 rating is supported by strong access to domestic and international funding markets, a stable banking system, and ample foreign currency reserves to cushion the impact of global market volatility.

Moreover, Moody’s is confident that the Philippines will maintain resilient economic growth compared to its regional and rating peers.

Growth momentum will be fueled by strong household consumption, overseas workers’ remittances, accelerated public investment, and ongoing structural reforms.

Moody’s also noted that the government’s fiscal consolidation remains on track, gradually reducing fiscal deficit from an estimated 5.6% of GDP in 2025 to 4.3% by 2028, supported by reforms to improve revenue collection and spending efficiency.

Despite external challenges, the government’s policy and fiscal management remain relatively strong.

To protect the country’s credit standing, Moody’s recommends sustaining reforms that have strengthened the economy, noting that a steady flow of public and private investments could also help growth exceed expectations.

Under the leadership of Secretary Go, the Department of Finance (DOF) will continue to advance fiscal reforms and strategic policy measures to achieve a credit rating upgrade for the Philippines.

Preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed exports expanding by more than 20% for three consecutive months in the last quarter of the year. The sustained rise reflects stronger global demand for Philippine-made goods and a broader recovery in domestic production, with higher export orders supporting factory operations, agricultural output, and employment across key sectors.

Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina A. Roque said the strong export performance highlights the resilience and competitiveness of Filipino workers and enterprises in global markets.

“When our products reach international shores, the benefits flow directly back to our communities,” Roque said. “Building on this strong finish, the DTI will intensify efforts to help exporters access more markets and simplify the export process, so the gains from global trade translate into more jobs and better opportunities for Filipino families.”

Exports reached $6.99 billion in December 2025, a 23.3% increase year on year and the third straight month of expansion. For the full year, total exports climbed to $84.41 billion, up 15.2% from $73.27 billion in 2024, marking a clear rebound in external trade.

Electronics remained the country’s largest export driver, accounting for $4.04 billion or 57.8% of total exports in December. Demand for components used in artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and smart devices sustained production in economic zones and supported high-value technical and manufacturing jobs.

Manufactured goods totaled $5.59 billion, driven by industrial chemicals and advanced components, while agro-based exports reached $732 million, led by bananas and coconut products. Mineral products contributed $515 million, with nickel shipments reinforcing the country’s role in the global clean energy supply chain.

The export upturn has had ripple effects across multiple sectors. In manufacturing and technology, steady electronics demand has helped maintain operations and employment in export-oriented hubs. In agriculture, increased banana shipments to Japan and South Korea, alongside growing global demand for coconut products, have boosted incomes for farmers in rural areas. Meanwhile, rising nickel exports have attracted renewed interest in mining-related investments and infrastructure linked to clean energy production.

The United States remained the Philippines’ top export market in December, accounting for $1.10 billion or 15.7% of total exports, followed by Hong Kong, Japan, China, and Singapore.

The Department of Trade and Industry said the latest figures show Philippine exporters are well-positioned to benefit from improving global market conditions. To sustain momentum, the agency said it is closely monitoring global trade developments and potential tariff changes, particularly affecting specialty electronics.

The DTI added that continued reforms under the Ease of Doing Business program, along with expanded market access initiatives, underpin its optimistic outlook for 2026, as the government seeks to sustain export growth and ensure that the “Tatak Pinoy” brand delivers tangible gains for workers, industries, and local communities.

The state think tank projects economic growth of 5% in 2025 and 5.3% in 2026, following a 5.7% expansion in 2024, pointing to continued recovery despite global and domestic headwinds.

Speaking at a January 15 webinar, lead author John Paolo Rivera said inflation has eased and economic stability has returned, but reforms are needed to make growth more durable.

“We are growing and inflation is under control,” Rivera said. “The challenge is making growth more robust and secure.”

Growth eased slightly to 5.4% in the first half of 2025 amid softer investment activity, climate-related disruptions, and global trade uncertainty.

The services sector remains the main growth driver, led by trade, finance, tourism, construction-related services, and the BPO industry, supporting jobs and household consumption. However, agriculture continues to lag due to climate shocks and structural weaknesses.

While consumption continues to support near-term growth, the study stressed the need to accelerate public and private investment, particularly in infrastructure, to raise long-term productivity.

Service exports remain strong, though easing, while merchandise exports face risks from global slowdown and trade policy uncertainty. The labor market remains stable, but improving job quality and productivity remains a key challenge.

Looking ahead, the PIDS report, co-authored by Ramona Maria Miral and Mark Gerald Ruiz, said easing inflation and resilient domestic demand should support moderate growth through 2026, though stronger governance and investment execution will be critical to achieving inclusive and sustained expansion.

The Energy sector led approvals, with ₱970.09 billion in investments for power generation and related infrastructure projects. It was followed by Mass Housing (₱241.65 billion) and Transportation and Storage (₱230.06 billion), reflecting continued investments in logistics, mobility, and connectivity. Manufacturing (₱62.16 billion) and Information and Communication (₱26.56 billion) completed the top five sectors.

Local investments dominated, totaling ₱1.41 trillion. The National Capital Region led with ₱383.71 billion, followed closely by the Cordillera Administrative Region (₱373.39 billion) and CALABARZON (Region IV-A) (₱257.83 billion). Bicol and Central Luzon rounded out the top five regions.

Foreign investment approvals reached ₱149.45 billion, led by Singapore (₱80.37 billion), followed by the Netherlands (₱33.29 billion), Thailand (₱7.75 billion), the United States (₱6.91 billion), and Switzerland (₱4.33 billion).

Secretary Roque highlighted that sustaining investment approvals above ₱1.5 trillion for two consecutive years reflects policy credibility and strong investor confidence.

“Surpassing ₱1.5 trillion for two straight years and recording the second-highest approvals in history underscores the Philippines’ growing competitiveness and the sustained trust of both local and foreign investors,” she said.

Looking ahead, key growth sectors include renewable energy, electric vehicle components, semiconductors and electronics, smart manufacturing, digital infrastructure, high-tech agriculture, and data center development. Secretary Roque emphasized that rigorous evaluation ensures projects are technically sound, regulatory-compliant, and aligned with long-term development goals, ultimately generating quality jobs, technology transfer, and sustainable economic growth.

With these latest approvals, total investments sanctioned this year have reached ₱977 billion, signaling strong investor confidence and the Philippines’ position as a competitive destination for strategic and sustainable investments.

The projects cover priority sectors including renewable energy, infrastructure, transport and logistics, IT-BPM services, housing, manufacturing, and tourism-related developments, highlighting broad-based economic activity as the year comes to a close.

A significant portion of the total investment value comes from large-scale clean energy initiatives, such as wind, solar, waste-to-energy, and battery energy storage facilities in Luzon and the Visayas. These projects are expected to strengthen the country’s power supply while supporting national objectives on energy security, sustainability, and climate resilience.

Key transport and connectivity investments include next-generation aircraft for domestic and international routes, as well as maritime transport assets to improve inter-island mobility. These projects aim to enhance trade, tourism, and regional connectivity.

Meanwhile, IT-BPM and digital services projects in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, the Cordilleras, and Cebu are projected to generate the bulk of employment, creating thousands of high-quality jobs in customer support, technical services, remote staffing, and managed services, further reinforcing the Philippines’ reputation as a global services hub.

Complementing these are housing and real estate developments, which expand access to economic and affordable housing while generating jobs in construction and allied industries. Leisure and recreation projects included in the endorsements are also expected to stimulate local economies and support community development.

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said the sustained pace of investment endorsements reflects the government’s focus on translating approvals into tangible economic outcomes.

“The steady flow of endorsed investments shows that we remain fully engaged in creating jobs and sustaining economic momentum. Our priority is ensuring that these investments generate real opportunities for Filipino workers and communities,” Roque said.

She added that while approvals have reached ₱977 billion, several high-value projects remain in the pipeline and are undergoing evaluation, which are expected to further boost overall investment performance as the year ends and into the next.

The government reiterated its commitment to ensuring that investment pledges translate into job creation, stronger industries, and long-term economic impact for Filipinos.

The Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to clean energy, sustainability, and investment-friendly reforms at the Pilipinas Conference 2025, outlining a long-term strategy anchored on energy security, environmental resilience, and strengthened public–private collaboration.

Energy officials emphasized that the administration’s direction is to secure a reliable and diversified energy mix that supports economic expansion. The government reiterated that energy security requires a “clean, reliable, and balanced” portfolio—one that reduces dependence on imported fuels, accelerates the use of indigenous and renewable resources, and incorporates complementary technologies such as natural gas and nuclear energy.

Renewable energy remains a central pillar of the country’s energy transition, but the government noted that its success depends on coordinated investments, clear policy signals, and active private sector participation. Businesses were encouraged to sustain their engagement, with officials stressing that the transition to a secure and sustainable energy future “cannot be achieved by government alone.”

Environmental officials highlighted that sustainability and resilience are now guiding principles for national policy. Ongoing reforms aim to streamline processes, cut regulatory bottlenecks, and accelerate responsible investments without compromising environmental standards. Mining reforms aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals seek to double the sector’s GDP contribution by 2028 through value-adding, downstream processing, and integration with clean energy and manufacturing supply chains.

The shift toward a circular economy was underscored as a critical component of long-term resilience, promoting systems where materials are reused, repurposed, and reintegrated into the value chain. Officials stressed that national resilience is built on interdependence among government, the private sector, and civil society.

The private sector expressed confidence in the Philippines’ policy direction. ACCIONA reiterated its commitment to sustainable infrastructure, citing the administration’s reforms—including the lifting of foreign ownership limits—as key drivers that make the Philippines one of ASEAN’s most attractive renewable energy markets. The company emphasized long-term value creation through low-carbon materials, community programs, and continued investment in Filipino engineering talent.

Experts also linked sustainability and economic confidence to sound governance. Policy advocates noted that good governance fuels investor trust, job creation, and innovation. Growing public demand for accountability, they said, reflects the strength of democratic institutions and reinforces the need for reforms that enable a more resilient, opportunity-driven economy.

APEC Policy Support Unit (PSU) director Carlos Kuriyama, analyst Rhea Crisologo Hernando and researcher Glacer Niño Vasquez said much of trade expansion this year stems from precautionary activity as firms accelerated shipment and built up inventories in anticipation of possible new trade restrictions.

“While economies continue to promote trade facilitation and deepen regional economic integration, rising trade-restrictive measures and trade remedies point to a more sensitive, cautious and fragmented global trade environment,” they said in a news alert.

Kuriyama, Hernando and Vasquez said trade has remained a bright spot in APEC’s 2025 performance, with merchandise exports and imports rising by 6.5 percent and 6.1 percent in value, respectively. Trade volumes of exports and imports also grew by 8.8 percent and 8.5 percent.

“The expansion was driven by frontloaded shipments, robust high-tech demand and agile adjustment by businesses, particularly seeking new markets and diversifying supply sources,” they added.

Released by the APEC Policy Support Unit, the report said merchandise trade strengthens on frontloaded shipments, supply chain diversification, and rising demand for metals and components from high-tech industries.

Kuriyama, Hernando and Vasquez said the surge in demand for metals and semiconductors underscores APEC’s central role in global industrial and technology supply chains.

They said strong safe-haven buying and rising demand from artificial intelligence-related production, renewable energy sectors and electric vehicles lifted metal prices. Semiconductor billings across the Asia-Pacific have also reached record highs on advances in logic and memory chip manufacturing.

“These developments present both opportunity and exposure. Strong demand from high-tech industries is supporting near-term growth, but the region remains vulnerable to supply bottlenecks, trade policy uncertainty, price swings and intensifying global competition,” they added.

The report said growth in the APEC region is projected to reach 3.1 percent in 2025, slightly higher than earlier forecast of 3 percent, supported by resilient trade activity and robust demand for high-tech goods.

With uncertainty still high, Kuriyama, Hernando and Vasquez said implementing smart fiscal policy, harnessing technologies and bolstering regional cooperation will be critical to restoring confidence and revitalizing growth in an increasingly complex global environment in 2026.

Kuriyama said adaptive regional cooperation is essential as APEC plays a vital role by providing a platform for open dialogue and shared solutions that promote predictable and transparent frameworks to foster trade and investment.

“Consistent dialogue and shared goals can help mitigate trade policy uncertainty and reinforce long-term stability,” Kuriyama, Hernando and Vasquez said.

Signed through Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 104 on October 24, the directive instructs all government agencies to prioritize locally made products and services in their procurement processes. Under the new policy, local suppliers may be awarded contracts if their bids are within 25 percent of the lowest foreign offer, ensuring that public spending directly supports Filipino enterprises.

Led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Tatak Pinoy Strategy provides a unified framework for industrial transformation anchored on five key pillars: people, infrastructure, technology and innovation, investments, and sound financial management.

DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque, who chairs the Tatak Pinoy Council, said the Strategy offers fresh opportunities for local industries and MSMEs to scale, innovate, and compete globally.

“The TPS empowers our MSMEs and industries to innovate with purpose, produce with pride, and compete globally with confidence. We thank the President for his swift approval of this landmark policy that will boost our economy and generate more jobs for Filipinos,” Roque said.

Developed through 27 nationwide consultations, the TPS identifies nine priority sectors with strong potential to drive inclusive, sustainable growth and advance industrial development. It also operationalizes the Tatak Pinoy Act (Republic Act No. 11981) and supports the goals of the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028.

For more details or to access the full document, visit the DTI website or contact the DTI-TPS Office via email at TatakPinoy@dti.gov.ph
or through its social media channels.