• The Philippine Economic Zone Authority formally launched the country’s first dedicated pharmaceutical economic zone, Victoria Industrial Park, on April 30
• 13 firms signed MOAs/MOUs to locate in the zone, covering pharma, cosmetics, food, and exports
• The pharma ecozone will include a Food and Drug Administration satellite laboratory to fast-track regulatory approvals
• The launch comes on the heels of the introduction by PEZA of new guidelines for registering pharma and health product ecozones
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) formally launched the country’s first dedicated pharmaceutical economic zone, Victoria Industrial Park (VIP), on April 30.
Located in Barangay Baculong, Victoria, the 30-hectare industrial park is envisioned as a flagship site for high-value pharma investments, focusing on boosting local production and reducing reliance on imports for essential medicines and health products.
The launch ceremony featured the signing of memoranda of agreement and understanding with 13 pioneering locators, including:
• Lifestrong Marketing Inc.
• ACP Heavy Industries
• Greenstone Pharmaceutical (makers of Katinko)
• Goodfield
• Ethospheric Inc.
• Solstice ECOventures Inc.
• Triumphus Ventures Inc.
• Medinext Inc.
• Revitalix Inc.
• Kweens Ventures Inc.
• K Food
• Verdant Dreams Hong Kong
• The Creative Ecobub for Philippine Artistry
These companies cover a diverse range of industries, from pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution to food, cosmetics, and design exports.
A key feature of the park is the upcoming on-site FDA satellite laboratory, which is expected to significantly streamline regulatory processes for manufacturers operating within the zone.
To encourage investment, PEZA also unveiled a new framework—the Guidelines for the Registration of Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, and Other Health Product Ecozones (Pharmazones). The policy is designed to streamline investor processes and position the Philippines as an emerging hub for health-sector manufacturing in Southeast Asia.
READ: PEZA issues registration guidelines for pharmazones
PEZA director general Tereso Panga, speaking at the launch event, said the new ecozone directly supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s goal of building a self-reliant and globally competitive pharmaceutical industry.
“This is a bold step forward in our collective pursuit of sustainable industrial growth and nation-building. The VIP will play a critical role of establishing a green lane for pharmaceutical manufacturing,” he said.
VIP developer and Greenstone Pharmaceutical CEO Melissa Yap joined the signing ceremony alongside key government officials, including Food and Drug Administration Director General Dr. Samuel Zacate, Anti-Red Tape Authority Secretary Ernesto Perez, and Tarlac Representative Christian Yap.
According to Zacate, 20 to 30 potential investors have expressed interest in setting up operations within the ecozone.
The project stems from a collaborative initiative between PEZA and FDA, following President Marcos Jr.’s directive. It was formally launched under Proclamation No. 623, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin in July 2024, establishing the framework for the country’s first pharmaceutical ecozone.
