PHILPHOS was established on June 6, 1980 by the National Development Company, a corporate investment arm by the Philippine government, which was contracted by four companies, began and was completed in 1984. The plant became operational in 1987.

The Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Corporation is the Philippines leading producer of phosphatic fertilizer and has one of the largest processing capacities in the ASEAN region with a rated capacity of approximately 1.17 million metric tons per annum.

The complex covers an area of 180 hectares within the 435 hectare Leyte Industrial Development Estate (LIDE) in Isabel, Leyte the largest industrial estate in the country.