Judging from the impressions of some analysts and the country’s own investment promotion managers, it appears we may as well begin writing the eulogy for the Philippines’ once-bright reputation as an investment destination, yet another victim of the pandemic-induced global recession and the government’s own mismanagement of the health crisis.

On Tuesday, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Charito Plaza openly expressed concern that some export zone locators would pull out of the country because of the pandemic.