Makati City: Aboitiz InfraCapital, one of the nation’s leading industrial estate developers, has expressed strong confidence in the Philippine government’s ability to navigate the economic challenges presented by new United States tariff policies. The statement was made at the Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates Industrial Summit 2025, held in Makati City prior to the weekend.
According to Philippines News Agency, economic estates head Rafael Fernandez de Mesa voiced his trust in the government’s efforts to achieve favorable outcomes amidst the heightened global trade volatility. He highlighted the proactive roles played by various governmental departments and agencies, including the Department of Finance, the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investments and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), alongside investment promotion agencies like the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).
While acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding the full effects of higher US tariffs, Fernandez de Mesa viewed the situation as an opportunity for the Philippines. He emphasized the nation’s potential to attract global firms seeking to diversify their risks in a volatile industrial landscape. “In a world of uncertainty and volatility, I think there is going to be more movement towards the Philippines,” he remarked, positioning the country as a competitive alternative amidst global trade shifts.
In related developments, SAPIEA Secretary Frederick Go and DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque are set to travel to Washington, D.C., to negotiate a mutually beneficial trade arrangement with the United States. This follows President Donald Trump’s announcement of reciprocal tariffs, which have been temporarily postponed for 90 days, with a universal tariff rate of 10 percent being applied to all countries.
Fernandez de Mesa further highlighted that investor interest in the Philippines extends beyond tariff advantages to encompass efficiency, cost, and ease of doing business. Additionally, he announced that Aboitiz InfraCapital has secured three locators for the 384-hectare TARI Estate in Barangay Lourdes, Tarlac City, which commenced construction in May 2024. A significant investment in the food industry is also anticipated, marking the economic zone’s first locator with plans to develop a 40-hectare site within the year.
