By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the expansion of two existing special economic zones in Cavite and Batangas and authorized the establishment of a new information technology (IT) park in Negros Oriental as part of the administration’s push to attract investments and create more jobs outside Metro Manila.
The move was formalized through Proclamation Nos. 1337, 1338, and 1340, signed on July 6 by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto by authority of the President.
Under Proclamation No. 1337, around 331,348 square meters of land in Barangays Punta I and Sahud-Ulan, Tanza, Cavite, were incorporated into the existing Suntrust Ecotown Tanza Special Economic Zone.
The expansion was approved upon the recommendation of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Board and is covered by the provisions of the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995, as amended.
The President also signed Proclamation No. 1338, adding approximately 308,065 square meters of land in Barangays Luta Sur and San Fernando in Malvar, Batangas, to the Light Industry and Science Park IV Special Economic Zone.
The expanded area will continue to operate under the rules and incentives provided by the Special Economic Zone Act and existing PEZA regulations.
Meanwhile, Proclamation No. 1340 established the Robinsons Dumaguete IT Park, a 60,000-square-meter information technology hub located inside the Dumaguete Business Park in Barangay Calindagan, Dumaguete City.
The new IT park will operate under the Special Economic Zone Act, the National Internal Revenue Code as amended by the CREATE MORE Act, and other PEZA guidelines that provide fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to qualified investors.
Malacañang said the latest proclamations form part of President Marcos’ broader strategy of promoting balanced regional development by encouraging businesses to expand beyond the National Capital Region.
The administration expects the additional ecozone areas and the newly created IT park to attract fresh investments, support manufacturing and technology-driven industries, boost exports, and generate employment opportunities in the provinces.
PEZA-administered economic zones continue to serve as major investment centers by offering incentives for businesses engaged in manufacturing, information technology, logistics, and export-oriented operations, helping stimulate long-term economic growth across the country.
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