Friday, September 5, 2008 [ philstar.com ]
ILIGAN CITY, Davao — Sen. Manuel A. Roxas III proposed yesterday the conversion of Mindanao into a freeport and special economic zone to promote the island’s development and provide jobs and income for the people there.
Roxas, who was the guest of honor yesterday at the inauguration of Pilmico’s new feed mill facility here, said he has filed Senate Bill 2580 which seeks the creation of the Mindanao Special Ecozone and Freeport.
In an interview with The STAR, Roxas explained that converting Mindanao into a special ecozone and freeport would be a good, innovative socio-economic response to the ongoing conflict between the government and Islamic separatists.
Converting Mindanao into a special ecozone and freeport, Roxas said, would encourage continued investments in the region and would also provide livelihood to the people.
He said the proposed Mindanao free port, would cover 27 provinces in the six regions of Mindanao, namely Zamboanga peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao region, Soccsksargen, Caraga and the Autonomous Region of Muslim, Mindanao (ARMM).
The free ports would be managed by a Mindanao Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority.
Funding for the MSEZFA would come partly from the National Government.
Incentives for the special ecozone and free ports, Roxas said, would include income tax holiday, net operating loss carry over, a five-percent gross income tax in lieu of all other taxes except for real estate taxes. – Marianne Go
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