ILOILO City — The bill to create Iloilo’s special economic and free port was approved by the House Committee on Economic Affairs and the House Committee on Trade and Industry.
House Bill 5794, or the Metro Iloilo Special Economic Zone (Miloecozone) and the Miloecozone Authority, is one of the seven bills to create special economic zones in different parts the country.
Iloilo City Representative Juliene “Jamjam” Baronda, author of the proposed measure, said that once it passes into law, the Miloecozone is expected to attract more investments in Western Visayas.
“We are eager to have this passed in the House. Our economy needs to recover from the ill effects of the pandemic. This bill will help bring in investors if it becomes a law,” said Baronda.
It was late last week when the two committees, chaired by Aklan Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr., and Navotas Rep. John Reynald Tiangco, endorsed for plenary approval the committee reports of House Bill 5794 along with six other bills.
Other approved bills include:
HB 655, to establish the Sangley Point special economic zone in the City of Cavite;
HB 263, to establish the special economic zone and free port in the Municipalities of San Jose and Magsaysay, in the Province of Occidental Mindoro;
HB 264 to implement the special economic zone and free port in the Municipality of Paluan, Province of Occidental Mindoro; and
HB 3239, HB 5440, and HB 5538 establishing the special economic zones in the 4th district of Cebu province; in Bacolod City, Province of Negros Occidental; and in the municipalities of Ubay, Buenavista, Talibon, and Getafe, Province of Bohol, respectively. /PN
