DoJ reviewing ecozone plan for Palawan penal colony

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said that its proposal to construct an economic zone in Puerto Princesa, Palawan is under review by the agency controlling the land, the Department of Justice (DoJ) said.

“We have a draft memorandum of agreement. It is being reviewed by the DoJ… we are excited to go into this,” PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga told reporters last week.

PEZA had proposed the construction of a major public ecozone within the 26,000-hectare Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa.

“It’s about time we ventured into our fifth public economic zone,” Mr. Panga added.

PEZA currently has public ecozones in Cebu, Baguio, Cavite and Pampanga.

Earlier, Mr. Panga said that the Palawan site will focus on manufacturing, specifically targeting car and electric vehicle companies.

Mr. Panga said PEZA could also contribute to the reform of prisoners within the correctional facility.

“If you make these people productive, it can be part also of their (rehabilitation),” he added.

He said PEZA is also planning to engage subdevelopers for the 26,000-hectare site.

Separately, PEZA said it currently has six pending ecozones waiting the approval of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

These include the Suyo Economic Zone in Ilocos Sur and the MetroCas Industrial Estates-Special Economic Zone in Cavite, which will be mainly focus on manufacturing.

Additionally, the Kamanga Agro-Industrial Economic Zone in Sarangani, Sevina Park Commercial in Biñan City, FPN EPIC Center in Cebu, and Tupi IT Park in South Cotabato are also awaiting Presidential approval. — Adrian H. Halili