In a strategic move to accelerate regional development and attract high-value investments, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has officially designated two new economic zones: one in Tanauan City, Batangas, and the other in Iloilo City.
The designations, signed on January 6 by Acting Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto on behalf of the President, underscore the administration’s commitment to expanding the country’s industrial and technological footprint under Republic Act No. 7916, also known as the “Special Economic Zone Act of 1995.”
Under Proclamation No. 1127, the government has authorized the expansion of the First Industrial Township–Special Economic Zone in Tanauan City.
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Location: Barangays Pagaspas and Trapiche, Tanauan City.
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Total Area: 55,859 square meters.
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Strategic Advantage: The expansion is situated near the CALABARZON Road and the San Juan River, providing vital logistical access for manufacturing and industrial operations.
In the Visayas region, Proclamation No. 1128 marks the creation of a new Information Technology (IT) Park, signaling a boost for the local digital economy.
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Name: Atria Gardens.
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Location: Donato Pison Avenue, Barangay San Rafael, Mandurriao District, Iloilo City.
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Total Area: 48,569 square meters.
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Focus: Designed to host IT-BPM firms, tech startups, and digital enterprises, further cementing Iloilo City’s reputation as a premier tech hub.
The establishment and expansion of these zones followed a formal recommendation from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA). By providing specialized areas for business, the administration aims to:
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Attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Providing world-class infrastructure and incentives for global businesses.
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Job Creation: Generating thousands of employment opportunities for residents in Batangas and Iloilo.
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Sustained Growth: Decentralizing economic activity away from Metro Manila to ensure inclusive national progress.
The move is part of a broader strategy to leverage the Special Economic Zone Act (as amended by RA No. 8748) to transform idle or underdeveloped lands into productive engines of economic wealth.
