Cebu LGUs show interest in tourism, agri ecozones

CEBU, Philippines - Among the seven special economic zones proposed for the various municipalities in the province of Cebu, the interest of local government units leaned towards tourism and agri-industrial economic zones.

Bantayan and Camotes islands as well as the municipalities of Badian and Oslob expressed willingness to develop tourism ecozones to maximize the tourism potential of their localities.

In a report released by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), following the recently concluded two-day economic zone summit held in Mactan last week, agri-tourism economic zones will also rise in the municipalities of Dalaguete-Argao and Tuburan-Tabuelan clusters.

PEZA-registered retirement hubs are also envisioned in Dalaguete-Argao cluster including Bantayan and Camotes islands.

Other cities and municipalities within the province also proposed for the creation of industrial estate, institutional zone area, commercial zones, industrial zones, and medium industrial park development specifically in Mandaue City.

Meanwhile, the towns of Bogo, Carmen, Danao, Lapu-Lapu, Cordova, South Road Properties (Cebu City) Balamban, Toledo and Minglanilla, will soon establish a Cebu Industrial Estate.

An institutional zone, which will host companies engaged in education, sports and recreation, health, religious and public building, will be built particularly in Talisay City, including the establishment of a commercial zone that will give fiscal perks and other tax holidays to hotels, shopping malls and casinos.

Talisay City also offered its capability to host or operate an industrial zone.

Under the PEZA law, an economic zone shall be built in a minimal area of 25 hectares. A zone can be develope, and managed by the local government unit or could be 100 percent private sector operated, or joint venture between LGU and a private developer. (FREEMAN)