NCR IT Park Ban Lifted, Expected to Spur Spillover Investments to Provinces

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) on Thursday said allowing new information technology (IT) parks and centers in Metro Manila would not divert investments from the provinces but could instead drive their expansion. “Many global companies first establish themselves where there is already a deep talent pool, mature infrastructure, and an established business ecosystem,” Peza Director General Tereso Panga said. “As they grow, we have the opportunity to bring their succeeding sites to other parts of the country.” The statement came after President Marcos approved Administrative Order No. 45, lifting a seven-year Duterte-era moratorium and allowing new IT parks to locate in Metro Manila anew. Peza said IT-business process management (IT-BPM) firms entering Metro Manila could later expand to Central Luzon, Calabarzon and other emerging hubs, particularly within the Luzon Economic Corridor. “AO 45 is a major boost to the Philippines’ IT-BPM investment proposition,” the agency said. “By bringing more investment-ready locations into the Peza ecosystem, we are giving global companies more options to enter and scale their operations in the Philippines.” Metro Manila hosts 178 IT parks and centers with 1,072 locator firms employing about 740,000 workers. Peza said the policy could attract investments to Manila, Navotas and Valenzuela. It also cited Colliers Philippines’ projection that Quezon City, the Bay Area and Mandaluyong would benefit. Five projects have applied for Peza accreditation: Ayala Land’s Arca South 1, Aseana Holdings’ Parqal, San Lorenzo Ruiz’s Yuchengco Center, MJ Landtrade’s Altaire, and Triumvariate’s One Trium Tower. Peza clarified that incentives will go to IT-BPM firms operating in accredited IT parks, not the developers. “We encourage developers—from established CBDs to emerging locations—to bring qualified IT Park and IT Center projects to Peza. We will, in turn, actively market these locations to investors,” Panga said. Separately, Finance Secretary Frederick Go, who endorsed the policy with Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, said it would support high-value economic activity in Metro Manila. “In pursuit of investments that generate the greatest economic value, the government will continue to direct fiscal incentives toward priority industries and activities,” Go said.