-
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr approved four new ecozones in the first half
-
Two expansions in Batangas and two new IT parks in Bacolod and Tagbilaran come with over ₱2.2 billion in projected investments
-
PEZA has secured 32 ecozone proclamations under the Marcos administration so far
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved four new economic zones in the first half of 2025, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said in a statement.
PEZA director general Tereso Panga said the newly approved ecozones—two expansions in Batangas and two IT parks in Bacolod City and Tagbilaran City—are aligned with the Philippine Development Plan’s medium-term goals to boost countryside development, attract foreign investments, and generate employment.
Two of the newly-approved projects involve expansions of the Lima Technology Center (LTC), operated by Aboitiz InfraCapital in Malvar, Batangas. On May 21, Proclamation No. 910 added 23.49 hectares of land in Barangays Bagong Pook and Luta Sur to the existing LTC. The area is expected to attract over ₱980 million in investment, with full development targeted by June 2027.
A separate expansion of 19.23 hectares under Proclamation No. 846 was approved earlier in March.
In Bacolod City, Proclamation No. 919, signed on June 2, created a 33.96-hectare IT Park in Barangay 41 under Megaworld’s The Upper East development. The park is expected to bring in more than ₱1 billion in investment for the construction of two IT buildings. At least five IT-BPM firms are expected to locate in the area, creating over 2,500 local jobs.
In Bohol, Proclamation No. 821 designated an 11,237-square meter site in Barangay Dampas, Tagbilaran City, as Tagbilaran Uptown IT Hub 2. The zone builds on the success of the nearby Tagbilaran Uptown IT Hub 1, which has already contributed to employment and economic activity in the province.
PEZA said the second hub is expected to attract over ₱200 million in investment. One prospective locator has committed to invest at least ₱70 million and hire over 500 workers.
PEZA noted that according to the latest Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data, most of the top 10 local government units (LGUs) outside Metro Manila ranked by GDP and foreign investment inflows host PEZA-registered economic zones.
To date, the Marcos administration has approved 32 new ecozones with a combined investment commitment of ₱13.406 billion. PEZA is also working to establish the Palawan Mega Ecozone and the Pantao Ecozone in Albay—the latter eyed as the fifth public economic zone in the country.
PEZA said it will continue coordinating with LGUs and private developers to establish more ecozones that support inclusive and sustainable development.
