THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) emphasized that the creation of ecozones drives development across the country, with nine out of 10 wealthiest local government units (LGUs) in the country hosting PEZA zones.
PEZA Director General Tereso Panga told reporters in a press conference in Pasay City Monday that establishing ecozones can drive economic growth and improve the lives of Filipinos outside Metro Manila.
Citing the data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the top 10 richest LGUs in the country are the cities of Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Lapu-Lapu, Iloilo, Cebu, Mandaue and Davao; and the provinces of Bataan, Laguna and Batanes.
Except for Batanes, the nine wealthiest LGUs are home to a big number of ecozones under PEZA.
“We see a direct correlation that the more an LGU is hosting ecozones, the better, the higher is the level (of the development),” Panga said.
“So this means a lot to us. I mean, this is as low-hanging as a growth strategy,” he added.
The PEZA chief also pointed out that the inclusion of an ecozone program in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 maximizes investments and promotes industrial dispersion, especially in developing rural areas.
Panga reported that between 2023 and 2024, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. proclaimed 27 ecozones, five of which are expansion projects. Most of the recently proclaimed ecozones were manufacturing ecozones and information technology (IT) parks, with total investments of P9.18 billion.
These ecozones were approved by the Chief Executive in 2023: Robinsons Cyberpark Bacolod and Lopue’s Mandalagan IT Center in Bacolod City; Felcris Centrale IT Park in Davao City; Philtai Central Luzon Industrial Park in Magalang, Pampanga; ECCO 4 Building in Baguio City; Naga City Industrial Park in Naga City; and Marina Town Dumaguete in Negros Oriental; as well as four expansion projects of Lima Technology Center in Malvar, Batangas; the expansion of Hermosa Ecozone Industrial Park in Bataan; and two expansion projects of Kamanga Agro-Industrial Economic Zone in Maasim, Sarangani.
In 2024, President Marcos greenlit these new and expansion of ecozone projects: Sevina Park Commercial in Biñan City; ArcoVia City in Pasig City; MetroCas Industrial Estates-SEZ in Tanza, Cavite; Taft East Gate in Cebu City; Tupi IT Park in Tupi, South Cotabato; Victoria Industrial Park in Victoria, Tarlac; The Grid in Mandurriao, Iloilo City; NDC Industrial Estate in Dasmariñas, Cavite; TARI Estate in Lourdes, Tarlac; and Xentromall Antipolo in Rizal. (PNA)
