President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called on investors to help turn the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) from a development concept into concrete projects and investments as the Philippines, the United States, and Japan work to accelerate the initiative.
Speaking at the LEC Investment Forum in Taguig on Thursday, September 10, Marcos said the corridor is moving beyond the stage of identifying opportunities and attracting investor interest toward developing projects that can secure financing, be built, and eventually become operational.
“The LEC is not simply a collection of infrastructure projects. It is our strategy for organizing growth,” he said.
The President said the shift is aimed at converting initial proposals and expressions of interest into actual business partnerships and investments with measurable outcomes.
“We are moving from identifying possibilities to preparing projects; from expressions of interest to commercial partnerships; from a shared vision to investments that can be implemented and objectively measured,” he added.
Marcos said advancing the corridor is particularly important as global supply chains continue to change and businesses seek investment locations capable of providing stability over the long term.
“The Philippines intends to be one of those locations,” he said.
The LEC was launched in 2024 through a partnership among the Philippines, the US, and Japan. It seeks to improve connectivity among Subic Bay, Clark, Metro Manila, and Batangas, creating stronger links between major economic centers in Luzon.
Marcos highlighted the distinct economic roles of the four areas. Subic serves as a maritime and industrial gateway, while Clark continues to develop as a hub for aviation, logistics, technology, and urban expansion.
Metro Manila remains the country’s primary commercial and financial center, while Batangas plays an important role in manufacturing, energy, and international trade.
The President said better connectivity among these strategic hubs would help establish a more integrated economic network, strengthening Luzon’s growth potential and supporting broader economic development across the country.