Puerto Princesa City is seeking more private investments in tourism, infrastructure and other industries to sustain its economic expansion, after its economy grew by 5.4% in 2025, outpacing the national growth rate of 4.4%.
At the 2026 Puerto Princesa City Investment Forum in Manila on Oct. 23, the city government presented development projects and business opportunities aimed at attracting capital, creating jobs and strengthening local economic activity.
Philippine Institute for Development Studies Senior Research Fellow John Paolo R. Rivera said sustaining growth would require investments in infrastructure, technology, connectivity and workforce development.
“For emerging growth centers, attracting investment is not simply about increasing the number of projects. It is about encouraging investments that generate employment, support local suppliers, and enhance productivity,” Mr. Rivera said, citing Philippine Statistics Authority data.
Among the projects presented was Baytown Palawan, a 5.4-hectare township by Megaworld Corp. with an initial planned capital expenditure of ₱7 billion over seven to 10 years. The development will combine residential, commercial, dining and entertainment establishments.
“We will continue to invest in Puerto Princesa. Our P7 billion is just the initial investment in Puerto Princesa,” Megaworld First Vice-President Harold C. Geronimo said, adding that the company intends to increase its investments as the city develops into a business, tourism and cultural hub.
The city is also looking to expand its tourism infrastructure through a proposed 15,000- to 20,000-seat convention and events center at the Sta. Lucia Environmental Estate, which is expected to support the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry.
Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority representative Niño Aquino presented a master plan for a 63.31-hectare development within the larger Sta. Lucia Tourism Enterprise Zone. The plan includes nine districts and 245 lots for hospitality, commercial, ecotourism and agri-tourism developments, as well as 10 proposed hotel sites and a 1,000-square-meter convention hall.
The plan also allocates 14.75 hectares for mangrove protection and scientific research, with development to be implemented in phases over 10 years.
“The next step is to move from a development vision to concrete projects,” Mr. Aquino said, emphasizing the importance of private sector participation.
Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron said the city wants to develop an integrated tourism destination, with complementary investments in hotels, restaurants, retail and commercial facilities around Sta. Lucia and the City Coliseum.
“Rather than developing isolated attractions, we will have an integrated destination where each investment helps support the others,” he said.
The city is also pursuing the proposed Puerto Princesa Integrated Fish Port in partnership with the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority. The project is expected to create opportunities in ice production, cold storage, seafood processing, logistics and distribution.
“We see the IFP not merely as a place where fish is landed, but as a strategic platform for an entire seafood economy,” Mr. Bayron said.
The investment push comes as the city seeks to broaden economic activity beyond tourism by linking local businesses and producers to larger supply chains.
Board of Investments representative Hannah Jamaign Barroquillo said the agency could help investors navigate regulatory requirements and align projects with national investment priorities.
She cited the BOI’s Investment Facilitation Network, which brings together 38 national government agencies to streamline permitting, and its Green Lane for Strategic Investments, which aims to expedite approvals for strategic projects.
As of Sept. 30, the BOI had endorsed 247 Green Lane projects representing more than ₱6 trillion in investments, Ms. Barroquillo said. She also identified agribusiness, logistics and renewable energy as potential growth areas for Puerto Princesa.
Other companies cited their existing investments in the city as a basis for further expansion.
DDTKI Group of Companies President Joseph V. Garcia pointed to the company’s investments in Best Western Plus The Ivywall Hotel, which opened in 2015, followed by The Miren Enclaves in 2019 and Napsan Villas in 2025.
Palawan Group of Companies Founder and Chairman Bobby L. Castro also highlighted the company’s growth from a local enterprise into a nationwide business.
“Puerto Princesa is not only a wonderful place to visit, it is a compelling place to invest, grow a business, and create long-term value,” Mr. Castro said.
One-Of Collection Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Lucas Niccolo M. Cauton III said the company’s hospitality investments, including The Funny Lion and Amorita Resort, reflect the potential to encourage visitors to stay longer and generate more economic activity in the city.
William Tan Group of Companies Chief Operating Officer and Business Development Head Patrick P. Tan, meanwhile, cited opportunities to expand operations, create jobs and strengthen partnerships with local suppliers and farmers.
The city government is counting on these investments and proposed developments to translate economic growth into employment, business opportunities and broader participation in the local economy. — Kaizzer Angela Marie V. Manuba
