Monday, December 28, 2009 [ sunstar.com.ph ]
By Cherry T. Lim
SOME 28 economic zones were being developed nationwide as of September 2009, according to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza).
Three of these were in the Visayas and eight in Mindanao.
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The ecozones being developed in the Visayas are Polambato-Bogo Economic Zone in Bogo, Cebu; Amihan Woodlands Township in Leyte; and Eastern Visayas Regional Growth Center in Tacloban City, Peza’s website said.
Amihan Woodlands Township, which is 2,312.69 hectares, is developed by MRC Allied Industries Inc., developer of the 122.83-hectare New Cebu Township ecozone in Naga, Cebu.
The 31.93-hectare Eastern Visayas Regional Growth Center, on the other hand, is developed by the City Government of Tacloban.
The Polambato-Bogo Economic Zone in Cebu, developed by WenMar Development Corp., is 41.71 hectares.
Mindanao
Half of the eight ecozones in Mindanao are in Region 13 or Caraga.
These are the 62.07-hectare Nasipit Agusan del Norte Industrial Estate in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte developed by the Provincial Government of Agusan Del Norte; the 106.47-hectare Philnico Industrial Estate in Surigao del Norte by Philnico Mining & Industrial Corp.; the 258.05-hectare Shannalyne Technological and Environmental Park in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, by Shannalyne Inc.; and the 237.91-hectare Tubay Agri-Processing Center by JC Agricultural Development Inc.
The rest were the 1,072-hectare Phividec Industrial Estate-Economic Zone in Misamis Oriental developed by the Phividec Industrial Authority Region; the 50-hectare Ayala de Zamboanga Industrial Park in Zamboanga City developed by Nonito J. Bernardo Development Inc.; the 63.93-hectare Hijo Special Economic Zone in Tagum City, Davao developed by Hijo Resources Corp.; and the 215.92-hectare Samal Casino Resort in Samal City, Davao Del Norte by Ekran Services Inc.
Tourism
As of September 2009, there were 202 ecozones operating nationwide, of which 66 were manufacturing ecozones; 123, information technology (IT) parks or centers; nine, tourism ecozones; two, agro-industrial ecozones; and another two, medical tourism parks or centers.
Cebu accounted for seven of the manufacturing ecozones, 11 of the IT parks or centers, and one of the tourism ecozones.
Philippine BXT Corp. is listed as operating a 7.5-hectare tourism economic zone in Barangay Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City: The Philippine BXT Corp. Tourism Economic Zone.
Establishments operating in ecozones registered with the Peza enjoy fiscal incentives, such as income tax holidays; tax and duty free importation of raw materials, capital equipment and spare parts; and exemption from national and local taxes.
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on December 29, 2009.
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