PHILIPPINES — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed four proclamations expanding two economic zones in Southern Tagalog and establishing two new ones in Negros Oriental and Batangas. The move brings to 46 the total number of ecozones created or expanded during his administration, reinforcing the push to spread investments beyond Metro Manila.
A Nationwide Push for Decentralized Growth
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto announced the development, noting that the 46 ecozones are projected to attract ₱141.2 billion in investments and generate nearly 189,000 jobs. The distribution across regions is deliberate: 29 in Luzon, 12 in the Visayas, and five in Mindanao. Only three of these ecozones are within Metro Manila.
Recto emphasized that this strategy brings businesses to where local talent already exists. Workers no longer need to leave their hometowns for crowded, expensive urban centers. "Mas maraming trabaho at mas maraming oportunidad ang darating sa Cavite, Batangas, at Negros Oriental," he said.
Expansion in Cavite and Batangas
Proclamation 1337 integrates several parcels of land in Tanza, Cavite into the existing Suntrust Ecotown Tanza-Special Economic Zone. The ecozone currently hosts 62 PEZA-registered enterprises employing 6,322 workers. The expansion is expected to attract approximately ₱851 million in new investments and generate around 2,200 jobs.
In Batangas, Proclamation 1338 expands the Light Industry & Science Park IV-Special Economic Zone in Malvar. The zone currently houses 43 PEZA-registered enterprises with about 1,769 workers. This expansion is key to unlocking ₱8.5 billion in committed investments and creating 200 new jobs.
New Opportunities in Negros Oriental and Batangas
Proclamation 1340 establishes the Robinsons Dumaguete IT Park in Negros Oriental. The project already has a prospective locator expected to invest ₱288 million and generate 1,500 jobs. This broadens high-value employment opportunities in the IT-BPM sector in the Visayas.
Meanwhile, Proclamation 1385 establishes the Biz Hub at LIMA Estate in Lipa City, Batangas, as a Special Economic Zone for information technology. The IT park has a prospective locator expected to invest ₱52.5 million and employ 110 workers. This adds fresh momentum to Lipa City's emergence as a technology-driven business hub.
The Role of Economic Zones
Special Economic Zones are designated areas where businesses enjoy fiscal and non-fiscal incentives. These include industrial estates, export processing zones, IT parks, and tourism economic zones. The incentives are designed to attract investment and promote economic activity in priority regions.
The expansion of ecozones is a core component of the administration's strategy to create jobs and stimulate provincial economies. By bringing opportunities closer to communities, the government aims to uplift livelihoods across the country. The focus on decentralized growth ensures that progress reaches every region.
