PEZA sees P1.55 billion investments in Catanduanes agro-industrial zones

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) believes the development of two ecozones in the province of Catanduanes would bring P1.55 billion worth of investments.

PEZA director general Tereso Panga said the Catanduanes State University (CatSU) Knowledge, Innovation, Science and Technology (KIST) park and agro-industrial processing zone, is the first for these ecozone models to be approved by the agency in the Bicol region.

Panga said the guidelines for the establishment of KIST Park were jointly formulated by PEZA and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

“As these model ecozones conform to green, inclusive and sustainable development, CatSU is able to mobilize as well the cooperation of the farmers, NGOs and business chambers, scientists and researchers, and key players in the IT and agro-sector supply chains – thereby fostering synergies between academe and the industry,” Panga said.

Panga looks forward to seeing foreign companies locate in the two ecozones, as well as the job opportunities opening for graduates of CatSU so that they will not  need to go to Manila.

He is also hoping to see the ecozones uplift the economic life of the people of Catanduanes through the ancillary and downstream effects of foreign direct investment and capital inflow that will potentially be generated.

“These are the same parameters that we adopt in PEZA as we promote the creation of more ecozones in rural and new growth areas to accelerate our countryside development,” Panga said.

The PEZA emphasized that the province of Catanduanes and CatSU have what it takes to attract investments into their desired world-class and environment-friendly ecozones.

“Catanduanes happens to be the biggest contributor to the growth of the abaca industry among the abaca-producing regions. The Philippines supplies 87.5 percent of the world’s requirement for abaca fibers, making the country the abaca capital of the world,” Panga said.

CatSU ranks third in the top performing schools in the Bicol region and is also vying for a green university ranking under the Green University Networks of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

“We are most impressed by CatSU’s green installations such as the 250 kilowatt hybrid solar-battery power generation facility complete with smart control room, which supplies 30 percent of its campus energy needs; an agri-4.0 designed greenhouse adopting four technology systems into aquaponic, hydroponic, deep water culture and drip irrigation that can produce lettuce, celery, cherry tomato and capsicum in a controlled environment; and a 400 cubic meter capacity rain collector to augment its water supply,” he said.

According to Panga, all these facilities subscribe to the principles of climate proofing and circular economy.

The PEZA chief said the Bicol Region currently hosts eight ecozones and 11 export-oriented locator companies involved in the manufacturing and business process outsourcing industries.

He added that these companies employ almost 9,000 Filipinos, contributing about P18.96 billion investments and generating $1.32 billion exports from 1995 to the first quarter of the year.

CatSU President Patrick Azanza also takes pride for Catanduanes and CatSU for responding to the call of President Marcos to establish ecozones to attract strategic investments.

“In fact, we are one, if not the first ecozone during the time of President Marcos, that will be inaugurated and will be established,” Azanza said.

Panga said the PEZA’s commitment to the vision of the President of decentralizing economic progress, invigorating economic renewal, long term countrywide growth where nobody is left behind and above all prosperity for Filipinos and their families.

“As such, we engage with the local government units, state universities and stakeholders to assist in the development of ecozones in their communities knowing that these would become catalysts for economic progress in their respective areas,” Panga said.