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The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority is looking at a busier and “better year” in 2026 with the entry of a new locator and ongoing discussions with six other potential new investors
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APECO is expecting the groundbreaking in the first quarter of Pacific Impact Development Corp.’s new 16-megawatt renewable energy facility at the Casiguran, Aurora ecozone
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APECO is also in discussion with US-based defense supply chain company Anglicotech LLC, a US-based renewable energy (hydrogen), two other defense companies, and two in the food sector
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Anglicotech has outlined its plans until 2030 and is eyeing to start a drone manufacturing facility and controlled warehouse for this year
The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) is looking at a busier and “better year” in 2026 with the entry of a new locator and ongoing discussions with six other potential new investors.
APECO president and chief executive officer Gil Taway IV said they expecting to break ground in the first quarter for Singapore-based renewable energy company Pacific Impact Development Corp.’s (PIDC) 16-megawatt renewable energy (RE) facility at the Casiguran ecozone.
Taway, in a recent interview with reporters, said preparatory works for the project are already underway and they are just waiting for the power purchase agreement with Aurora Electric Cooperative, Inc. to be signed before starting construction works.
APECO and PIDC in 2024 signed a US$25 million investment agreement for the RE facility, which will take one year and eight months to two years to build, Taway noted.
APECO earlier said the renewable energy facility is set to play a crucial role in both the ecozone and the region’s economic development as it is expected to power the expected industry developments APECO has been trying to establish.
Aside from PIDC, APECO is also in discussion with other potential investors that are expected to enter this year.
These include US-based defense supply chain company Anglicotech LLC, a US-based renewable energy (hydrogen), two other defense companies, and two in the food sector.
Anglicotech late last year reaffirmed its investment interest in APECO and already has outlined its plans for this year until 2030. For this year, Taway said Anglicotech eyes to start a drone manufacturing facility and controlled warehouse that will require more than 15 hectares.
He said Anglicotech is meeting with APECO again this month to firm up its plans.
Anglicotech already operates in Subic since 2024, providing logistics, C5ISR (command, control, computers, communications, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) and FMS (foreign military sales) support to both the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Department of War, formerly Department of Defense.
Aside from these, APECO is looking to invite more defense companies and other industries.
READ: APECO signs Casiguran international port deal with Korean, Filipino firms
Taway said they will be returning to Virginia this year to talk to defense companies and in Burbank for the film studios.
APECO is positioning itself as an alternative and complementary site for US defense sector investments in the Philippines, offering strategic advantages on the country’s eastern seaboard with direct access to the Pacific Ocean.
Further, APECO is aiming to establish a food and logistics hub inspired by Barcelona’s Mercabarna — a 100-hectare wholesale and logistics complex developed by the city government.
The project aims to encourage agricultural production and value-adding industries in Casiguran while improving the local food supply chain, following its food security thrust. APECO also aims to make Casiguran the Fishing Capital of the Pacific.
During its investment mission in Spain last year, APECO proposed to make a feasibility study on the food and logistics hub to Spanish engineering firm IDOM Consulting, Engineering, Architecture S.A.U., which already has a presence in the Philippines.
READ: APECO eyes cold chain, convention center projects with Spanish firms
APECO, meanwhile, is looking to complete its new passenger terminal building by August or September this year. With this, the ecozone will be able to transition to handling chartered flights to commercial operations by November to December at the earliest, Taway said.
The 1.320-kilometer airstrip in Casiguran is planned to be developed as the APECO Airport to improve accessibility to Aurora and northeastern Luzon.
Last year, APECO also signed a tripartite memorandum of agreement (MOA) with South Korea’s Yooshin Engineering Corp. and the Philippines’ Lordsbridge Resources Corp. to develop the Casiguran International New Port, a flagship infrastructure project seen to position Aurora as a key maritime gateway to the Pacific.
Taway said Yoonshin is set to meet with APECO this month to provide update on potential investors for the project. — Roumina Pablo
