By Justine Irish D. Tabile, Correspondent
The Board of Investments (BoI) announced that the government is currently refining the specifics of the revised Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) 2025-2028, aiming to unveil the updated roster of projects eligible for incentives within the year.
During the Arangkada Forum on Friday, BoI Investment Promotions Services Executive Director Evariste M. Cagatan mentioned that the objective is to disclose the new SIPP within the current year.
“It is being polished … The aim is to present it to the Office of the President in the fourth quarter,” she stated.
On Friday, Ms. Cagatan revealed the suggested list of projects that will be part of the new SIPP.
“In Tier 1, we observe sectors that meet contemporary basic demands. It also encompasses sustainability-oriented industries, export functions, and those governed by special regulations,” Ms. Cagatan remarked.
“On the other hand, Tier 2 features products and services that are not produced domestically along with import-replacing initiatives, whereas Tier 3 includes highly strategic and innovative-driven endeavors,” she added.
Concerning modern basic needs, the list encompasses agriculture, fishery and forestry, manufacturing, halal, kosher, and organic-related activities, services, healthcare, disaster risk mitigation management services, infrastructure and logistics, and energy.
On the other hand, sustainability-oriented industries comprise industrial and hazardous waste treatment, bulk water processing and distribution, wastewater treatment, and projects related to the environment or climate change.
Ms. Cagatan noted that the BoI aims to assure that investment benefits result in long-lasting economic resilience.
“This signifies not just attracting investments but also fostering a conducive atmosphere where innovation flourishes, industries ascend the value chain, and opportunities remain inclusive and sustainable,” she emphasized.
Referring to the Foreign Investment Promotion and Marketing Plan (FIPMP), Ms. Cagatan stated that the BoI has pinpointed essential growth sectors to promote prolonged growth.
These sectors include green metals and mineral processing, smart manufacturing, smart agro-industries, renewable energy (RE) value chain, electric vehicle ecosystem, semiconductors and electronics, digital and telecommunications infrastructure, information technology and business process management (IT-BPM), and creatives.
Under the FIPMP, the government hopes to enhance foreign direct investment by 5%, with an additional growth rate projected yearly until 2028.
“With our strategic location in the Indo-Pacific, a wealth of crucial natural resources, and a young, adaptable, tech-savvy workforce along with a large consumer market driven by a growing middle class, the Philippines is strategically positioned to be the preferred destination for these high-value sectors,” she noted.
Over the past three years, the official indicated that the Philippines’ FDI performance has remained consistent, with net inflows reaching approximately $9 billion in 2024.
“In 2024, FDIs were from international investors like Japan, the UK, Singapore, and the United States. For the first half of 2025, total net inflows amounted to $3.4 billion, reflecting sustained investor trust despite global challenges,” she remarked.
She also pointed out that investment promotion agencies reported a robust pipeline of prospective investments, which reached P1.95 trillion last year, indicating a 32.7% surge from 2023.
“This year appears promising as well, with the investment approvals for the first half of 2025 exceeding P480 billion for projects in RE, manufacturing, real estate, transport, and IT-BPM,” she concluded.
“These initiatives are anticipated to create around 70,000 jobs. Foreign investments constituted 20%, with inflows from Singapore, South Korea, the US, China, and Japan,” she remarked.
