Tuesday, April 28, 2009 [ sunstar.com.ph ]
A BILL seeking to establish an Iloilo Special Economic Zone sponsored by Ilonggo senators Miriam Defensor Santiago and Manuel Roxas II is now pending before the Senate.
The proposed ecozone will be spearheaded by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) in providing a specific area for investors and business locators in Iloilo.
"The Manny Pacquiao Blog". Click here for stories and updates on the Filipino boxing champ.
Roxas said that under the bill, the ecozone will cover a specific land area, developer, and government agency to look after the needs for power, water and roads.
In Iloilo City, several business areas were already declared as Peza accredited with ISO certificates. Among these are the SM City and Amigo Terrace shopping malls.
Roxas said he is eyeing a specific place for an IT park or business park where investors and businessmen are concentrated to put up a factory or offices and conduct business in the city. The plan also includes giving investors six to eight years tax-free for exports.
Megaworld Corp., which purchased the 54-hectare Iloilo airport last year, is currently developing the area into an IT and theme parks for business locators and investors. The plan also includes accreditation with Peza.
Roxas said the local government unit hosting the ecozone will benefit from the area, as well as local manufacturers and small- and medium-scale entrepreneurs by providing a ready market through the ecozone. (LCP)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
