P115M abandoned projects in Apecoto be finished before year end

MANILA – The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Apeco) is targeting to deliver at least PHP115 million worth of abandoned projects within the year.

Apeco will inaugurate the PHP60-million central water project phase 1 in October, president and chief executive officer Gil Taway IV said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency Friday.

The agency also aims to finish a part of the PHP439-million corporate campus development, particularly the recreation facilities, to increase tourists in Casiguran.

On Aug. 1, Apeco finished PHP55 million worth of projects, which include the PHP28-million sewage treatment plant phase 1 and the PHP27-million fire station and purchase of a fire truck, a rescue vehicle and an ambulance.

Apeco also inaugurated a boat café near the shore.

“The introduction of the boat café is expected to bring in significant benefits to Apeco and to Casiguran. It aims to attract tourists, boost local businesses and create job opportunities within the hospitality sector,” Taway said.

Taway previously shared that 10 projects amounting to PHP796 million were left unfinished by the past administration.

“We are expediting these projects. We need to finish these infrastructures inside Apeco so we can invite more locators to the ecozone,” he said.

By the first quarter of 2025, Taway said the agency targets to inaugurate the PHP30-million central water project phase 2 and the PHP47-million sewage treatment plant phase 2; and complete the PHP90-million underground power distribution line.

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. gave a clear directive that we should complete all the abandoned projects amounting to almost PHP800 million and today, Apeco answers the call. Beyond addressing past challenges, PBBM also directed us to improve Apeco’s performance as an investment promotion agency,” he said in a previous statement.

Taway said the current administration aims to transform Apeco as the northern Philippines' fishing capital, a center for renewable energy and the nation's first national defense hub. (PNA)