THE Philippines expects to generate thousands of new jobs in manufacturing and information technology (IT) after President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. approved new and expanded special economic zones (ecozones) in Batangas and Iloilo, bolstering efforts to push investments beyond Metro Manila.
Under two proclamations signed on Jan. 6, parcels of land in Tanauan City, Batangas, were added to the existing First Industrial Township-Special Economic Zone (FIT-SEZ), while a new IT park was established in Iloilo City, according to the Office of the Executive Secretary.
Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto said the new ecozones align with the Marcos administration’s strategy to decentralize economic growth by bringing investment and employment opportunities to the provinces.
“The new ecozones reinforce the Marcos, Jr. administration’s push to spread investments beyond Metro Manila, bringing economic opportunities closer to Filipinos,” he said in a statement in Filipino.
“That means more jobs are waiting in Batangas, Iloilo, and the surrounding areas. The economy in the provinces will strengthen, and the improvement of our families’ livelihoods will continue,” he added.
The Batangas expansion, covered by Proclamation No. 1127, integrates land in the villages of Pagaspas and Trapiche into the FIT-SEZ, which currently hosts 14 Philippine Economic Zone Authority-registered firms employing more than 1,600 workers.
The enlarged zone is expected to attract about P1.5 billion in new manufacturing investments and create roughly 1,850 additional jobs.
In Iloilo, Proclamation No. 1128 designates land along Donato Pison Avenue in the Mandurriao district as the Atria Gardens IT Park Special Economic Zone.
The project is projected to draw P550 million in investments and generate about 2,200 jobs, reinforcing Iloilo’s growing role as a hub for information technology and business process services.
Special economic zones offer registered firms fiscal and non-fiscal incentives under the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 and its amendments, subject to compliance with Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) rules.
The proclamations followed recommendations from the PEZA board. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana
