PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently signed four proclamations that expanded two economic zones in Southern Tagalog and established two more in Negros Oriental and Batangas — all expected to draw in almost P9.7 billion in fresh investments.
This brought to 46 the number of ecozones whose growth was “spurred during his watch,” Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said on Monday.
By region, 29 of the special economic zones (SEZs) are in Luzon, 12 are in the Visayas, and five in Mindanao.
Except for three, all of the SEZs are outside Metro Manila, in line with the administration’s thrust to “disperse investments to the countryside,” the Palace said.
“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 said in a statement.
Proclamation 1337 integrated several parcels of land in Punta I and Sahud-Ulan in Tanza, Cavite into the existing Suntrust Ecotown Tanza SEZ.
The expansion is expected to attract about P851 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. Its expansion will “unlock” P8.5 billion in committed investments, create 200 new jobs, and sustain the growth of Batangas as a major destination for manufacturing and industry, Recto said.
In Negros Oriental, Proclamation 1340 established the Robinsons Dumaguete I.T. (information technology) Park.
The project already has a prospective locator who is expected to invest P288 million and generate 1,500 jobs. It will create employment opportunities in the IT and business process management sectors in the Visayas.
Proclamation 1385 established the Biz Hub at LIMA Estate in Barangay Bugtong na Pulo, Lipa City, Batangas, as a SEZ for information technology.
The IT park already has a prospective locator expected to invest P52.5 million and employ 110 workers, adding fresh momentum to Lipa City’s emergence as a center for technology-driven businesses and quality employment.
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.
