The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is pressing ahead with the Philippines’ P1.75-trillion overall investment approvals target for this year, confident of neutralizing the effects of higher US tariffs and global uncertainty.
Speaking at a briefing ahead of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (PCCI) 51st Business Conference and Expo, DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said on Monday the Marcos administration is mounting a “whole-of-government” push to keep investor confidence intact.
“Yes, we’ll stick to that,” she said when asked if the target would hold. “Next year we’re hosting Asean 2026, so that’s going to be big. We will show our best, and we are already preparing for that.”
The Philippines is taking the helm as chair of the Asean in 2026, which involves hosting not just the leaders-level summits but all other gatherings of the bloc.
The US tariff hike—raising duties on Philippine exports from zero to 19 percent—poses a challenge, but Roque stressed that exporters are diversifying toward Europe, South America and the Middle East.
She cited the pending free trade deal with the European Union and the planned Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Middle Eastern partners as potential “game changers.”
Despite external headwinds, investment missions to Cambodia, Osaka, New York and possibly France remain on the calendar. “The President has directed agencies to push hard for exports and foreign investment,” Roque said.
“Despite the turbulence, we remain steady,” she added. “Our goal is clear: to keep the Philippines on the investment map.”
