The Philippines is undergoing a significant infrastructure expansion, with the government allocating PHP1.507 trillion in 2025 (around 5 per cent of GDP) for development projects.2 This surge, supported by institutions like the Asian Development Bank, has led to a booming construction market, valued at US$39.4 billion in 2024 and projected to reach US$60.08 billion by 2033.3 This “infrastructure boom” has attracted international contractors to participate in the development work.

As more international businesses look to invest in projects in the Philippines, they need to consider the dispute resolution options available in the country. According to World Bank data,4 litigation in the Philippines can be time-consuming and costly, making arbitration an attractive alternative due to its efficiency, cost-effectiveness and confidentiality. Since the Philippines became a signatory to the New York Convention in 1967, it has become easier to enforce arbitral awards within or outside the country compared to foreign judgements. Thus, arbitration has become the preferred method of dispute resolution for internationally funded projects.