The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and SM Offices, a business unit of SM Prime Holdings (SM Prime), announced the formal designation of the SM City Santa Rosa IT Center as a Special Information Technology Economic Zone. The designation was officially confirmed through a Registration Agreement (RA) following Presidential Proclamation No. 944, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The proclamation recognizes a portion of the popular SM City Santa Rosa as a strategic hub for the Information Technology-Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector, bringing significant benefits to the region and future locators.
Accreditation as a PEZA IT Ecozone is a powerful incentive for investors. Registered IT enterprises within the SM City Santa Rosa IT Center will be eligible for a comprehensive package of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, including Income Tax Holidays, tax and duty exemptions, streamlined import–export procedures, and access to Special Non-Immigrant Visas. Furthermore, the designation guarantees modern infrastructure and efficient government services, providing a competitive edge for companies setting up operations.
The new IT Center is poised to significantly boost Laguna’s standing as a preferred location for the IT-BPM industry, actively supporting the national government’s goal of expanding investments outside of Metro Manila.
“This partnership with PEZA underscores our dedication to providing world-class spaces for the IT-BPM industry,” said Alexis Ortiga, Vice President and Head of SM Offices of SM Prime Holdings. “Santa Rosa is strategically located with access to talent, infrastructure, and lifestyle amenities that will support long-term growth for companies and employees alike.”
SM Offices has a strong history of supporting the IT-BPM sector through its PEZA-accredited developments, including its successful E-Com Centers in the Mall of Asia Complex and SM North EDSA Towers in Quezon City. The addition of the SM City Santa Rosa IT Center extends SM Offices’ reach into key provincial growth corridors, furthering decentralization efforts.
“The proclamation of SM City Santa Rosa as an IT Center opens new doors for job creation and investment opportunities in the countryside,” stated PEZA Director General Tereso Panga. “PEZA stands ready to handhold locators seeking to set up operations in the Philippines as we advance our country’s role as one of the leading global IT-BPM hubs in Asia.”
The establishment of this new ecozone reinforces the shared goal of PEZA and SM Prime to attract investments, generate employment, and drive regional development across the country. This move aligns with PEZA’s robust growth trajectory, which reported a 100 percent increase in investment approvals in the first seven months of 2025, reaching P90.6 billion, with up to 30 new ecozones anticipated by year-end.
