Reinforcing its commitment to global competitiveness and sustainable industrial growth, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) took center stage at Schneider Electric’s Innovation Talk: Powering the Future of Digital & Energy-Efficient Operations.
The forum, held recently at the Clark Marriott Hotel, brought together industry leaders to chart the course for the next generation of industrial operations.
Representing PEZA, Deputy Director General (DDG) for Policy and Planning Emmanuel D. Cortero joined a high-level fireside chat to discuss the agency’s strategic shift toward “next-generation ecozones.” This evolution is anchored in three core pillars:
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Digital Transformation: Streamlining operations through advanced technology.
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Sustainability: Integrating green energy and resource efficiency into zone design.
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Countryside Expansion: Bringing high-value investment opportunities to emerging regions across the Philippines.
DDG Cortero emphasized that this transformation is bolstered by progressive policy frameworks, most notably the CREATE MORE Act, which enhances the country’s incentive structures to attract sophisticated, long-term investors.
During the discussion, DDG Cortero highlighted that PEZA’s role has shifted from a mere land developer to an ecosystem architect.
“PEZA today is not just about ecozones; it is about building future-ready ecosystems where policy, infrastructure, and sustainability converge to attract high-value investments,” Cortero stated.
He further underscored that operational excellence and public-private collaboration are critical to addressing the primary concerns of locators—specifically energy efficiency and the management of rising operational costs.
The event also served as a follow-through on the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between PEZA and Schneider Electric Philippines. This partnership aims to digitize ecozones and implement world-class energy management systems to keep the Philippines ahead of global investor expectations.
Demonstrating a unified, organization-wide commitment to these goals, the PEZA delegation included:
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Mary Jane G. Sanchez, Cluster 3 Deputy Zone Administrator
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Atty. Rene U. Baysa, Zone Manager
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Sally P. Carpio, Zone Manager
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Ramon S. Lacap, Zone Manager
By aligning with global leaders like Schneider Electric, PEZA continues to solidify the Philippines’ reputation as a premier, sustainable, and future-ready investment destination in the Asia-Pacific region.
