[ Manila Bulletin Online ] May 13, 2008
By MAR T. SUPNAD
MARIVELES, Bataan -- The House committee on economic affairs has approved a bill calling for the conversion of the Bataan Economic Zone (BEZ) into Bataan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (BSEZF).
Mayor Jesse L. Concepcion of this town said that the passage of the bill on the committee level was smooth after the lawmakers realized its economic impact not only on the host town and province but also on the entire country.
"Alam naman natin na walang pagbabago ang kasalukuyang Bataan Economic Zone (BEZ) at mukhang tila napabayaan dahil kitang kita ang mga dilapidated and obsolete buildings sa loob ng zone,’’ Mayor Concepcion said.
The approval of Congressman Abet S. Garcia’s House Bill No. 1425, which he filed on July 26, 2007, came after members of the committee came here and conducted public hearing on the proposed conversion of BEZ into BSEZF.
In his explanatory note, Congressman Garcia stated that there is a need for its immediate conversion, saying :the development of economic zone is very slow due to several factors affecting the smooth operations inside the economic zone. Roads have to repaired and maintained, buildings had to be restored and remodeled and other infrastructures should be constructed to be able to fit and adapt to the needs of the changing times.’’
The eldest son of Gov. Enrique "Tet" Garcia, the young solon said that "communications and telecommunications system must by developed and widened in scope."
"In addition,’’ Garcia said, "the economic zone is facing tough competition posed by other economic zones with freeports, especially those located nearby.’’
Garcia’s action came at a time when almost all the economic zones such as those in Cavite, Cebu, and Baguio City, have continued to grow, while BEZ appears to be the most neglected among them by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).
A news source here recalled that few years ago, a top PEZA official got mad at Bataan officials and since then has be harboring a personal grudge against the BEZ,
If the bill is finally enacted into law, Congressman Garcia said, the benefits that may be granted to the registered enterprises in the zone would include an income tax holiday (ITH), accelerated depreciation, and capital equipment Incentives.
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