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The number of economic zones (ecozones) in the country has increased to 46 with the signing of four proclamations by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. that expanded two economic zones in Southern Tagalog and established two more in Negros Oriental and Batangas.
According to executive secretary Ralph Recto, the expansion is expected to spur more investment opportunities “under the watch” of the Marcos Jr. administration.
“(The ecozones) are all expected to draw in almost ₱9.7 billion in fresh investments,” the former senator and now Palace official pointed out.
Except for three, all of the special economic zones (SEZs)are outside Metro Manila, in line with the administration’s thrust to “disperse investments to the countryside.”
“With these, businesses can go to where local talent is, boosting local economic activity, without workers having to leave their hometowns for costly and crammed urban centers,” Recto noted.
Under Proclamation 1337, several parcels of land in Punta I and Sahud-Ulan in Tanza, Cavite will be integrated into the existing Suntrust Ecotown Tanza SEZ.
Malacañan said the expansion is expected to attract about ₱851 million in new investments and generate 2,200 jobs, further strengthening Cavite’s position as one of the country’s leading manufacturing and industrial hubs.
Proclamation 1338 expanded the Light Industry and Science Park IV SEZ in Malvar, Batangas. The expansion aims to “unlock” ₱8.5 billion in committed investments and create 200 new jobs while sustaining the growth of Batangas as a major destination for manufacturing and industry.
In Negros Oriental, Proclamation 1340 established the Robinsons Dumaguete I.T. (information technology) Park, which already has a prospective locator who is expected to invest ₱288 million and generate 1,500 jobs.
Finally, Proclamation 1385 will establish the Biz Hub at LIMA Estate in Barangay Bugtong na Pulo in Lipa City, Batangas, as a SEZ for information technology.
The IT park already has a prospective locator expected to invest ₱52.5 million and employ 110 workers, adding fresh momentum to Lipa City’s emergence as a center for technology-driven businesses and quality employment.
Recto explained that SEZs are designated areas where businesses can enjoy fiscal and nonfiscal incentives and privileges, depending on their location and industry priority.
These include industrial estates, export processing zones, information technology parks, tourism and recreational economic zones.
