BoI registers Nueva Ecija, Pampanga low-cost housing, industrial park dev’t projects

THE Board of Investments (BoI) said it approved the registration of nearly P2 billion worth of mass housing and industrial park projects in Central Luzon, citing the need to boost economic activity outside Metro Manila.

In a statement on Tuesday, it said the total covers two mass housing projects worth P1.35 billion in Nueva Ecija and a P630-million industrial park in Mexico, Pampanga.

Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque, who chairs the BoI, said the developments are expected to boost economic activity in the region.

“These projects will provide thousands of housing units for families seeking affordable home ownership while creating opportunities for businesses to expand and generate jobs through a new industrial park,” she said.

Borland Development Corp. will undertake the housing project, which will deliver 1,700 affordable-housing units, the BoI said.

The housing development will target informal settlers in the region and will be compliant with the government’s socialized housing requirements, the BoI said. 

The BoI noted that development of the housing project will begin this month and is expected to generate construction and operations jobs.

Meanwhile, the 24-hectare domestic industrial park will be developed by Fortunetown Properties Corp.

The industrial park is due to begin commercial operations in June and is expected to help further decentralize economic activity outside the capital.

“Through these approvals, we are ensuring that investments are translated into tangible outcomes on the ground,” BoI Director for Infrastructure and Services Industries Service Mary Ann E. Raganit said.

The projects are also expected to address the Philippines’ growing housing backlog while creating business-ready spaces to support job growth and strengthen the domestic value chain, she added.

Central Luzon’s economy grew 4.46% in 2025, outpacing the National Capital Region’s 4.35%, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz