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The Department of Trade and Industry is steering the development of new economic zones
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Underway are two economic zone projects spearheaded by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority
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The Pantao Ecozone in Libon, Albay is envisioned to become the prime eastern seaboard port, strategically bridging the Indo-Pacific and creating a new growth area
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PEZA and the Bureau of Corrections are also preparing to develop the Palawan Mega Ecozone, set to be the country’s first mega ecozone
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is steering the development of new mega ecozones, pharmaceutical hubs, and enhanced digital efficiency across the Philippines through the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).
In a statement, DTI said the initiatives are designed to generate more jobs, particularly in the countryside, and to accelerate the nation’s socio-economic progress.
One economic zone development project is underway in Albay. The Pantao Ecozone in Libon, Albay is envisioned to become the prime eastern seaboard port, strategically bridging the Indo-Pacific and creating a new growth area, DTI said.
PEZA director general Tereso Panga last year said “opening up new seaports like Pantao, for one, in the Eastern Seaboard will de-risk trade as well as shorten transport of goods to Taiwan, Korea, the US, Japan, the Americas, Australia, New Zealand and other destinations in the Pacific.”
PEZA and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) are also preparing to develop the Palawan Mega Ecozone (PMEZ), set to be the country’s first mega ecozone.
In an earlier statement, PEZA said its Board in May approved the creation of PMEZ, a 28,000-hectare development within the Iwahig Penal Colony in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
The creation of PMEZ is the first step toward the process of Presidential proclamation of the site.
The project will be the first and largest of its kind in the country, intended to transform idle government land into a hub for sustainable industrial activity.
The project affirms an earlier contract between BuCor and PEZA. Under the contract, BuCor will transfer land to PEZA for the creation of the zone.
An initial 4,000 hectares has been transferred to PEZA for Phase 1 development. The PMEZ is expected to attract investment in agro-industrial processing, renewable energy, eco-tourism, and marine biotechnology.
Moreover, the First Pharmaceutical Ecozone has been established through a collaborative effort involving the Food and Drug Administration, the private sector, and the Tarlac local government unit. The initiative addresses the President’s call to make medicines more affordable and accessible to Filipinos, while simultaneously empowering local manufacturers, DTI said.
The ecozone is envisioned as a central hub for medical research and manufacturing in the Philippines. A tangible step in this direction was the official launch of the Victoria Industrial Park on April 30, 2025, where 13 prospective locators signed MOAs with developer Greenstone Pharmaceuticals.
To improve ease of doing business with digitalization, the PEZA has innovated by embracing digitalization to create an ecosystem where businesses can thrive.
For instance, the agency has established the AI Tech Academy in partnership with Stacktrek, Concentrix, and TESDA. This academy stands as the first TESDA-accredited AI training facility in the Philippines, offering beginner- to intermediate-level courses on various AI tools and solutions.
