Pangasinan, deemed ideal for economic zones
A TOWN WITHIN A TOWN
LINGAYEN—The head of the Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA) has called on Pangasinan officials led by Governor Amado Espino III to set up at least two economic zones in every town and city to perk up their respective economies and wean themselves off their dependency on the national government.
PEZA Director General Charito Plaza, in a speech during an Economic Development Meeting/Dialogue in Lingayen on April 17, pointed out that idle lands owned by local and national governments and by private individuals can be applied for a presidential proclamation preparatory to conversion to economic zones for industrial, agricultural and tourism activities.
She said by building an economic zone, one is “practically building a town within a town or a city within a city”.
Already, there are areas set to be proclaimed ecozones in Dagupan, Labrador, Dasol and Mabini towns while other areas are expected to apply very soon, she said.
Dagupan, under the leadership of its mayor, Belen Fernandez, is now putting up an information technology building within the city’s envisioned IT Park.
Other opportunities include establishment of an agri-farm, trade tourism, manufacturing, agro-forestry, manufacturing and agri-industrial area, all of which can be accredited as economic zones, Plaza said.
She said an economic zone enjoys tax holidays for a maximum of from six to eight years, but its trickle down or multiplier effect to the city or community is immense.
Citing the Baguio Economic Zone, its sphere of influence is not only the Cordilleras but also Regions 1, 2, and 3, Plaza noted the thousands of people employed by various multinational companies operating inside the ecozone.
Plaza also said PEZA gives priority to environment-friendly economic zones that will emit zero pollution, use LED lights and develop their own sources of renewable sources of energy.
Pangasinan, she said, is the “best location for economic zones” since it still has a vast land area that can be developed. (Leonardo Micua)
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