At least three big potential anchor locators – leading livestock raising/food processing company, a steel fabricator, and a British company engaged in sustainable aviation fuel — have manifested strong interest to locate in the planned Bicol Economic Zone (BEZ), which is being promoted as the country’s Pacific Gateway.
Already, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is fast tracking the documentation requirements for the Presidential Proclamation of BEZ, located in Pantao, Libon, Albay in the Bicol region.
“We are going through the proclamation requirements. We hope to get the Presidential Proclamation for Bicol Economic Zone this year,” said Tereso O. Panga, PEZA director-general.
Once proclaimed, this will be PEZA’s fifth economic zone, the four others being the Baguio City Economic Zone (BCEZ), Mactan Economic Zone (MEZ), Cavite Economic Zone (CEZ), and Pampanga Economic Zone (PEZ).
DG Panga noted that BEZ has a potential to become the country’s Pacific Gateway, connecting the Philippines to key Asia-Pacific markets. It is envisioned as a major industrial hub and an eastern seaboard port to facilitate faster, direct international trade, complementing existing hubs in Manila and Southern Luzon.
The Pantao port in Libon, Albay used to be a major trading port during the Spanish regime. It has a deep seaport facing the Eastern seaboard. As such, PEZA targets agro-industrial, light manufacturing and maritime-related activities as our priority industries. “A leading livestock raising /food processing company, a steel fabricator, and a British company into sustainable aviation fuel have manifested interest to locate in BEZ,” he said.
According to Panga, they have identified an initial 60 hectares of land owned by PEZA in close partnership with the local government of Libon.
Already, he said, the Department of Agriculture has committed to invest PHP500 million to upgrade the Pantao port into a key regional fishery hub by early 2028. The DA plan includes constructing an ice plant, cold storage, and expanding facilities to handle increased fishing, cargo, and passenger traffic from Masbate, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
According to DG Panga, PEZA plans to assign some areas to anchor locators for them to develop their respective areas. PEZA will provide for the needed infrastructure and connectivity, but utilities providers are invited to embed their power, water and telecom facilities.
