House committee okays Ilocos ecozone measure
By Teddy P. Molina
VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur – Moving fast, the House committee on economic affairs approved March 25, a highly supported legislative measure here, sponsored by Rep. Ronald Singson (1st District, Ilocos Sur_, creating a special economic zone and Freeport authority in Ilocos Sur.
On motion of Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo, the committee chaired by Danao City Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano VI unanimously approved House Bill 1534 during the course of a public hearing held in Baluarte here morning of March 25.
Local officials led by Ilocos Sur Gov. Deogracias Victor Savellano and the business sector headed by Cirilo Lao, local president of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce took turns in pushing for the bill’s enactment befor eth Hosue committee.
Undersecretary Hermenegildo Dumlao, head of the North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Commission (Northquad), and Presidential Assistant Ernie Mendoza joined the clamor in favor of Singson’s bill saying the planned ecozone will benefit the whole northern reigon.
To be called Ilocos Sur Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (ISEZFA), the ecozone will be established within the premises of the Salomague Port in Cabugao town which is described as a natural cove and a safe haven for ships during inclement weather.
Singson underscored economic benefits for his constituents and the country once the ISSEZFA gains ground. These include job and investment generation, strengthening of the country’s trading and foreign exchange position, and enchancing the country’s global competitiveness.
He acknowledged his predecessor, Rep. Salacnib Baterina as having initiated a similar bill last year but the Senate failed to act on it before adjournment last year.
The young Singson, who is a son of former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” SIngson, announced that he made arrangements for a counterpart bill to be filled in the upper House by Sen. Miguel Zubiri.
He thanked his six colleagues in the economic affairs committee who came here for taking swift action on his bill many of whom are his fellow first termers. They are Mark Douglas Cagas IV of Davao del Sur, Nonato Joson of Nueva Ecija, Antonio Lagdameo of Davao del Norte, Albert Garcia of Bataan, Romulo and Durano.
Reacting on the quick committee action on HB 1534, a congressional aide said that “that’s what you get when you have a dynamic group of congressmen and an aggressive group of local stakeholders like what you have here.”
Singson said that he expects upgrading work on the Vigan airport to be underway with the signing by President Arroyo of this year’s national budget.
He was able to include P150million in the DOTC budget with the assistance of House Deputy Speaker Eric SIngson for the widening of the airport.
Once widened, Vigan airport is targeted to accommodate commercial and international flights by 2009 which he said should augur well for local tourism.
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