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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed two proclamations creating a new economic zone in Iloilo and expanding one in Batangas
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Proclamation No. 1127 expands First Industrial Township-Special Economic Zone in Batangas, expected to attract additional manufacturing locators, generating P1.5 billion in new investments and creating 1,850 more jobs
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Proclamation No. 1128 establishes IT park Atria Gardens in Iloilo, projected to draw P550 million in investments and create 2,200 jobs
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently signed two proclamations creating a new economic zone in Iloilo and expanding an existing one in Batangas.
Signed on January 6, 2026, Proclamation No. 1127 designates four parcels of land with an aggregate area of 55,859 square meters (sqm) located at Barangays Pagaspas and Trapiche, Tanauan City, Batangas, for inclusion into the existing First Industrial Township-Special Economic Zone (FIT-SEZ).
FIT-SEZ, formerly known as Philtown Industrial Estate, offers industrial land for lease. It currently hosts 14 Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)-registered enterprises employing 1,634 workers.
With the expansion, the ecozone is expected to attract additional manufacturing locators, generating P1.5 billion in new investments and creating 1,850 more jobs for Filipinos, Executive secretary Ralph Recto said in a statement.
Also signed on January 6, Proclamation No. 1128 establishes several parcels of land with an aggregate areas of 48,569 swm along Donato Pison Avenue in Barangay San Rafael, Mandurriao District, Iloilo City as a new information technology (IT) park-SEZ to be known as Atria Gardens.
Atria Gardens is projected to draw P550 million in investments and create 2,200 jobs, further strengthening Iloilo’s position as a growing hub for IT and business process services.
Both ecozones were proclaimed pursuant to Republic Act (RA) No. 7916, or the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995, as amended by RA No. 8748, and upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors of PEZA.
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RA 7916, signed into law on February 24, 1995, aims to encourage economic growth through the development of special economic zones.
SEZs are designated areas where businesses can enjoy fiscal and non-fiscal incentives and privileges, depending on their location and industry priority. These include industrial estates, export processing zones, information technology parks, tourism/recreational economic zones, and others.
The new proclamations followed the recommendation of the Board of Directors of the PEZA.
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