The signing of the 2026 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is a strong affirmation of the development path that the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) has charted for the Aurora Province and the Eastern Seaboard.
This was emphasized by APECO President and CEO Gil G. Taway following Malacanang’s approval of the new priority investment plan.
“The newly approved priorities reinforce our vision of transforming APECO into the country’s National Defense Hub, Fishing Capital of the Pacific, and Clean Energy Hub. These three strategic pillars directly support the Marcos administration’s goals of strengthening national security, ensuring food security, and advancing energy security,” said Taway.
What makes the 2026 SIPP particularly significant for APECO is that many of the economic activities being actively promoted are among the country’s priority investment areas.
Under Tier I, these include agriculture, fishery and forestry development; processing and manufacturing of agricultural and fishery products; aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO); telecommunications infrastructure and services; ports and terminals; air, land and water transport; industrial zones; logistics and fulfillment centers; training and learning facilities; housing; as well as power generation and energy storage projects.
The alignment becomes even more evident under Tier II, which includes defense-related service activities, renewable energy, and food security-related investments. These sectors are central to APECO’s strategic positioning. As the country seeks to enhance its defense capabilities, secure its food supply, and accelerate the transition to cleaner energy sources, APECO offers a unique platform where these priorities can converge through strategic investments and public-private partnerships.
Likewise, the inclusion of science, technology, and innovation-related activities under Tier III strengthens APECO’s long-term vision. Priority areas such as research and development, defense-related manufacturing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and data science, hydrogen energy, and nuclear energy are among the high-value industries that we aim to attract as we develop a future-ready economic zone. Together with export-oriented enterprises, these industries have the potential to generate quality employment, encourage technology transfer, and position Aurora as an emerging center for innovation and advanced industries.
“The 2026 SIPP presents an opportunity to translate national policy into tangible local benefits. As investments flow into these priority sectors, our communities, including our Indigenous Peoples, stand to gain from new jobs, expanded livelihood opportunities, skills training, and greater participation in economic development.
By aligning APECO’s strategic direction with the country’s investment priorities, we are creating the conditions for inclusive growth while advancing the nation’s broader goals of security, resiliency, and sustainability.”
