Philippines ecozones positioned to capture global AI data center boom

The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) has identified Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the Philippines as critical locations for the global surge in Artificial Intelligence (AI) data center investments. As traditional tech hubs in the United States and Singapore face regulatory hurdles, power grid constraints, and land limitations, Philippine ecozones offer a streamlined solution for energy-intensive digital infrastructure.

Key growth corridors such as Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, and Clark are positioned to capture significant digital foreign direct investment. The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) currently manages over 290 IT parks and specialized centers, providing the industrial footprint necessary for massive computing workloads.

Recent policy shifts have further accelerated this momentum. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Administrative Order 45, which lifted a seven-year moratorium on new IT park and center applications in Metro Manila. This move has already prompted several local developments to apply for ecozone status to attract global hyperscalers looking for gigawatt-scale facilities.