STRATEGIC investments under the government’s “green lane” pipeline rose slightly in July as the Board of Investments (BOI) certified more projects for faster permit processing, driven largely by capital-intensive renewable energy ventures.
According to BOI data as of end-July, the pipeline expanded to P6.36 trillion, inching up from P6.32 trillion at the end of the first half. This represents the combined project cost of investments certified since the program was launched in February 2023.
Projects granted green-lane status are considered strategic or nationally significant investments, making them eligible for expedited government approval and registration processes. The program was established through Executive Order No. 18 in February 2023.
More than four-fifths of the pipeline or 85.8 percent, came from renewable energy, comprising 187 projects worth P5.46 trillion.
These are expected to create 276,469 jobs, up from 182 projects worth P5.42 trillion as of end-June.
According to the BOI, renewable energy projects are concentrated in the regions of Calabarzon, Ilocos and Central Luzon, highlighting “the sector’s critical role in advancing energy security, sustainability and regional development.”
Even with the increase, the BOI again recorded renewable energy project exits, with 10 projects worth a combined P137.47 billion dropped from the pipeline.
The BOI said developers of these projects had surrendered their service contracts to the Department of Energy.
Next to renewable energy were digital infrastructure projects, with a combined investment value of P405.12 billion across 10 projects. These are expected to generate 20,393 jobs.
Also in the green lane pipeline are six big-ticket public-private partnership, infrastructure and water projects worth P416.75 billion, with projected employment of 113,363.
Another 33 food security projects worth P19.68 billion are expected to create 7,241 jobs.
In manufacturing, seven projects worth P67.04 billion could generate 7,773 jobs, while one pharmaceutical project worth P45 million is expected to create 35 jobs.
Overall, the BOI expects projects in the green lane pipeline as of end-July to generate 425,454 jobs.
While the pipeline has expanded since the program began in 2023, only a fraction of the projects have reached the operational stage.
As of end-July, only 23 projects worth P286.17 billion were operational. These were concentrated mainly in digital infrastructure, followed by renewable energy and food security.
The largest share remained in the predevelopment stage, comprising 166 projects worth P5.52 trillion. (Logan Kal-El M. Zapanta © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
