Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
The SEC is the government agency responsible for the registration, licensing,
regulation and supervision of all corporations and partnerships organized in
the Philippines, including foreign corporations licensed to engage in business
or to establish branch offices in the Philippines.
Board of Investments (BOI)
The Philippine Board of Investments (BOI), an attached agency of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), is the lead government agency responsible for the promotion of investments in the Philippines. Taking the lead in the promotion of investments, BOI assists Filipino and foreign investors to venture and prosper in desirable areas of economic activities. Investors are welcome to experience the potentials of the booming Philippine Industry sectors. Profitable business opportunities abound in the food processing, construction, metal products, telecommunications, power and infrastructure projects among others.
It is divided into four (4) operating groups: Investments Promotion Group, Technical Services Group, Industry Development Group and Project Assessment Group.
Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is a government corporation established by virtue of a legislative enactment known as “The Special Economic Zone Act of 1995.” PEZA is an investment promotion agency and a government owned corporation, attached to the Department of Trade & Industry. It is responsible for ensuring that foreign investors who wish to put up their operations in the country will have readily available suitable locations in world-class, environment-friendly economic zones. PEZA grants fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to developers of economic zones which include Industrial Estates, Export Processing Zones, I.T. Parks, I.T. Buildings, and Tourism Oriented Economic Zones; Exporters of manufactured products and I.T. services; Logistics enterprises; and Facilities enterprises
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is the central bank of the Republic of the Philippines. The BSP took over from the Central Bank of Philippines, which was established on 3 January 1949, as the country’s central monetary authority. The BSP enjoys fiscal and administrative autonomy from the National Government in the pursuit of its mandated responsibilities.
The BSP’s primary objective is to maintain price stability conducive to a balanced and sustainable economic growth. The BSP also aims to promote and preserve monetary stability and the convertibility of the national currency.
The BSP provides policy directions in the areas of money, banking and credit. It supervises operations of banks and exercises regulatory powers over non-bank financial institutions with quasi-banking functions.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
The Department is mandated to be the primary agency responsible for the conservation, management, development, and proper use of the country’s environment and natural resources.
To accomplish this mandate, the Department shall be guided by the following objectives:
1. Assure the availability and sustainability of the country’s natural resources through judicious use and systematic restoration or replacement, whenever possible;
2. Increase the productivity of natural resources in order to meet the demands for forest, mineral, and land resources of a growing population;
3. Enhance the contribution of natural resources for achieving national economic and social development;
4. Promote equitable access to natural resources by the different sectors of
the population;
5. Conserve specific terrestrial and marine areas representative of the Philippine natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
The Department of Labor and Employment is the primary government agency mandated to promote gainful employment opportunities, develop human resources, protect workers and promote their welfare, and maintain industrial peace. This government agency is responsible for issuing Alien Employment Permits (AEP) to foreign nationals who intend to work in the Philippines
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)
The Department of Agrarian Reform is the lead implementing agency of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). It undertakes land tenure improvement, development of program beneficiaries, and the delivery of agrarian justice. DAR conducts land survey in resettlement areas. It undertakes land acquisition and distribution and land management studies.
The DAR also orchestrates the delivery of support services to farmer beneficiaries and promotes the development of viable agrarian reform communities. It is also responsible for issuing out Land Use Conversion Clearance Certificate or its equivalent to investors for tourism estate registration and PEZA-registration of proposed tourism ecozones and locator enterprises.
Department of Agriculture (DA)
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is the principal agency of the Philippine government responsible for the promotion of agricultural development growth. In pursuit of this, it provides the policy framework, helps direct public investments, and in partnership with local government units (LGUs) provides the support services necessary to make agriculture and agri-based enterprises profitable and to help spread the benefits of development to the poor, particularly those in rural areas. DA is also responsible for issuing out a certification from the concerned Regional Director stating that the proposed area for the development of a tourism estate is not covered by Administrative Order No. 20 and that such land has ceased to be economically feasible for agricultural purposes. This certification is required for the registration of tourism estates and proposed tourism economic zones.
Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB)
The Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) is a national government agency tasked as the planning, regulatory and quasi-judicial body for land use development and real estate and housing regulation. These roles are done via a triad of strategies namely, policy development, planning and regulation. It issues a certification from the Deputized Zoning Administrator stating that the proposed land use is in accordance with the land use plan duly approved by the legislative council (sanggunian) of the host municipality/city. This certification is required for the registration of tourism estates and proposed tourism economic zones.
National Water Resources Board (NWRB)
The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) is the lead government agency in the Philippine water sector, conferred with policy-making, regulatory and quasi-judicial functions. The NWRB is responsible for ensuring the optimum exploitation, utilization, development, conservation and protection of the country’s water resource, consistent with the principles of Integrated Water Resource Management. It issues the NWRB Certification stating that identified water source shall not cause water supply problem for the adjacent communities. This certification is required for the registration of tourism estates and proposed tourism economic zones.
Bureau of Immigration (BI)
Executive Order No. 292, Book IV, Title III, Chapter X, Section 31 specifically delineates the mandate of the Bureau of Immigration as “the administration and enforcement of immigration, citizenship, and alien admission and registration laws in accordance with the provisions of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 (as amended), the Alien Registration Act of 1950, including other pertinent laws related thereto. It is mandated to undertake the administration and enforcement of immigration and citizenship laws and the admission of foreigners to the Philippines including the enforcement of alien registration laws, and the exclusion, deportation and repatriation of aliens.
Department of Tourism (DOT)
The Department of Tourism (DOT) shall be the primary government agency charged with the responsibility to encourage, promote, and develop tourism as a major socio-economic activity to generate foreign currency and employment and to spread the benefits of tourism to both the private and public sector.
Starting as an initiative, in the 1950s, the Philippine Tourist & Travel Association was organized. The Board of Travel & Tourist was created by law in 1956. By 1973, the Department of Tourism (DOT), Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) and Philippine Convention Bureau (PCB) were created by the Philippine government. Under the Executive Order no. 120 and 120-A, DOT and PCB were reorganized structurally and functionally. PCB was renamed Philippine Convention & Visitors Corporation (PCVC).
