Where to establish my company in the Philippines?

July 8, 2014

The Philippines has opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs thanks to its robust service sector, strategic geography, and high consumerism from a growing population. If you’re considering launching a venture here, here’s a breakdown of prime locations and influencing factors to guide your decision.

We focused on high-economy regions and Special Economic Zones (SEZs), which may offer tax incentives to registered businesses.

1. Metro Manila: Traditional Business Powerhouses

Taguig (Bonifacio Global City)
Taguig is one of the major business districts in Metro Manila. With a GDP of ₱566 billion and around 26% of the region’s office space, it is second only to Makati in scale of commercial infrastructure and number of businesses, according to the Philippines’ Statistics Authority (PSA) as of 2023.

BGC, Taguig’s modern CBD, accommodates multinational brands, streamlines business registration, and has infrastructure that supports diverse industries, from finance to new media.

Quezon City
Already recognized as the richest city in the Philippines as of 2023 according to the Commission of Audit (COA), Quezon City houses over 86,000 registered businesses and is home to 33 ICT parks, including the flagship Eastwood City Cyberpark.

Its high competitiveness ranking, particularly in government efficiency and infrastructure, makes it a reliable choice for ICT-driven enterprises.

2. Emerging Growth Centers Outside NCR

Metro Clark (Central Luzon)
Clark Freeport Zone, a vibrant manufacturing, logistics, and BPO hub, hosts over 1,100 locators and employs more than 136,000 workers. With significant real estate development and booming investor interest, Clark offers a strategic, less-congested alternative to Metro Manila.

Clark Freeport Zone is also an SEZ, encouraging foreigners to invest by offering incentives and streamlining registration.

Bacolod City (Visayas)
Touted as one of the fastest-growing IT and BPO centers in the Visayas, Bacolod has earned praise as a “next wave city” and was declared a “center of excellence” by DOST. Recent investments like Robinsons Cyberpark Bacolod (an IT park SEZ) further enhance its appeal.

Cebu City & Metro Cebu
Cebu remains a staple for businesses, manufacturing, and tourism, with its network of economic zones and strong connectivity throughout Visayas.

Cabuyao, Laguna
Cabuyao, dubbed the “Enterprise City” of South Luzon, hosts key industrial parks like Light Industry and Science Park I and serves as a logistics hub for major players like Lazada and Unilever—a solid option for manufacturing or distribution-centered ventures.

3. Spotlight on Special Economic Zones (SEZs)

Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) oversees a vast network of over 427 operating ecozones, spanning IT parks, manufacturing zones, agro-industrial parks, and tourism centers. PEZA’s incentives—such as income tax holidays, duty-free imports, VAT exemptions, and simplified procedures—make these zones immensely attractive. Here are some of the zones under PEZA:

Metro Manila: Includes IT parks like Makati’s RCBC Plaza, Bonifacio Global City’s BGC Corporate Center, Ortigas Technopoint Tower, and Quezon City’s UP Science and Technology Park.
CALABARZON: Features Laguna Technopark and Cavite Economic Zone, key hubs for manufacturing and IT-BPO industries.
Central Luzon: Encompasses Clark Freeport Zone and Subic Bay Freeport Zone, known for logistics and industrial activities.
Cebu: Hosts Mactan Economic Zone and Cebu Light Industrial Park, major centers for export-oriented industries.
Davao: Includes Davao City Ecozone, supporting agro-industrial and IT-BPO growth in Mindanao.
Emerging Zones: This includes new developments like the planned Palawan Mega Ecozone, which is expanding PEZA’s footprint.

There are other Special Economic Zones that offer streamlined registration and possible incentives. These include:

Clark-Subic Economic Corridor: This corridor encompasses Clark Freeport Zone (Pampanga) and Subic Bay Freeport Zone (Zambales), which are managed by the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), respectively. It focuses on logistics, manufacturing, tourism, and IT-BPO.
Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport (APECO): Located in Casiguran, Aurora, managed by the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority, emphasizing agro-industrial and tourism development.
Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (CEZA): Situated in Santa Ana and Aparri, Cagayan, overseen by the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, known for gaming, tourism, and port operations.
Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB): Based in Mariveles, Bataan, managed by the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan, specializing in manufacturing and logistics.
Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone and Freeport: Located in Zamboanga City, managed by the Zamboanga Freeport Authority, supporting trade and industrial activities in Mindanao.
Poro Point Freeport Zone: Found in San Fernando, La Union, managed by the Poro Point Management Corporation under the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, focusing on tourism and logistics.

Final Recommendation

Here’s a summary of the above:

If immediate scale, infrastructure, and access to global markets are top priorities, Taguig (BGC) or Quezon City are excellent choices.
Clark and Bacolod excel in cost and congestion considerations. Cebu and Cabuyao offer solid regional infrastructure and logistical strengths.
For streamlined registration and tax incentives, invest into PEZA ecozones and other Special Economic Zones. Research each zone carefully to determine which one caters to your industry and offers the right incentives.

Let us know where you plan to set up your business. Triple i Consulting can handle your registration and help ensure full compliance with local laws.

Are You Registering a Business in the Philippines?

Setting up a business in the Philippines can be complex due to the many requirements and regulations involved. Missing a document with a government agency can result in costly fines or even the suspension of your operations.

That’s where Triple i Consulting comes in. Our team of experienced lawyers and accountants provides comprehensive support for your business registration, so you don’t have to stress over the paperwork. We’ll handle the permits and renewals so you can focus on what matters—running your business and achieving financial success.

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