Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo met with Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Tereso O. Panga and the PEZA Executive Committee at the PEZA Head Office to solidify a partnership aimed at accelerating ecozone-led development in the Bicol Region.
The collaboration focuses on expanding the Naga City Industrial Park – Special Economic Zone and positioning the city as a premier destination for Information Technology (IT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
During the meeting, PEZA officials highlighted Naga City’s emergence as a competitive tech hub, bolstered by a robust talent pool of local college graduates. This digital momentum is underscored by the city’s recent success in securing a ₱6.73 million grant from the DEPDev Innovation Fund.
Naga City was one of only 11 recipients chosen from 541 nationwide proposals. The grant will fund the AI City Planner project, a pioneering initiative that uses data-driven analytics to modernize urban planning and infrastructure management.
Director General Panga lauded Mayor Robredo’s proactive efforts in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), specifically noting her recent engagement with PEZA locator AG&P. Robredo encouraged the firm to explore expansion opportunities within Naga, a move PEZA views as vital for regional job creation.
“Naga City’s proactive approach is exactly the kind of local leadership that strengthens investor confidence,” said DG Panga. “LGUs are indispensable partners in investment attraction. What Naga is doing aligns with the investor-friendly models seen in Quezon City, Pasig, and Iloilo. PEZA is committed to helping local executives align their regional strengths with globally competitive investment standards.”
Currently, Naga City serves as a vital economic engine for the Bicol Region:
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Ecozones: 3 active zones.
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Locators: 5 major firms.
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Employment: Over 5,000 Filipinos currently employed within these zones.
This partnership aims to increase these figures by streamlining the “ease of doing business” and leveraging Naga’s unique position as a center for education and innovation.
