PEZA to build eco-zones in Cordillera provinces

By Susan C. Aro

BAGUIO CITY --  Eco-zones would be set up in Cordillera provinces by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority to bolster investments. Baguio City Export Zone officer-in-charge  Rene Joey Mipa said PEZA presented this in a recent meeting of the Regional Development Council’s sectoral committee on development administration as he bared that PEZA is now into building economic zones in every province and city.

 In the Cordillera, there are identified potential ecozones around areas in Baguio City such as the Benguet municipalities of La Trinidad, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay.

Existing economic zones in the Cordillera are the Baguio City Economic Zone (BCEZ), John Hay Special Tourism Economic Zone and the SM Baguio Cyberzone Building, Mina said.

There are also proclaimed ecozones in region such as the Abra Agro-Industrial Center in Tayum, Abra and the Kelly Special Economic Zone. In progress is the Mt Resource Trade Center.

Aside from local government units Mipa said their office is also encouraging other business establishments such as information technology hubs to apply as long as they comply with the requirements.

In line with its new thrust, PEZA is encouraging the identification of ecozones among private and government entities for export-oriented manufacturing and service facilities to establish investments that would create jobs, livelihood and income for the Filipino people.

PEZA is an attached agency of the DTI tasked to promote investments, extend assistance, register, grant incentives to and facilitate the business operations of investors in export-oriented manufacturing and service facilities.