THE Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) is optimistic that the proposed export processing zone project at Barangay Bagtic, Silay City will boost employment in Negros Occidental.
Roberto Montelibano, president of MBCCI, said in a report Tuesday, July 11, that the export processing zone in the northern Negros is one of those up for approval by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Montelibano said they initiated the talks with the landowner for the establishment of a 38-hectare industrial zone which will cater to investors from Cebu.
The chamber also tapped the help of consultants from there, he said.
“Some export processing companies operating in Cebu have considered expanding their businesses in the province,” Montelibano said.
The proposed ecozone strategically situated near the Bacolod-Silay Airport is intended mainly for light manufacturing, he added.
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza), in an earlier report, said 46 economic zone projects are awaiting Presidential Proclamations as ecozones.
The proposed Peza ecozones amounting to about P31 billion comprise 11 projects for manufacturing activities; 32 for IT parks and centers; one for medical tourism center; one for agro-industrial project; and one for tourism development.
The one in Silay City is among the manufacturing ecozones that have pending applications. Others are located in Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, Bataan, Cebu, and Cotabato.
Montelibano said they have also tapped the Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise, a technical school in Cebu City, for expansion near the ecozone to be built in Silay City.
He said the school will cater to students who will be linked to the ecozone for hands-on trainings and employment.
“The school currently has about 4,500 students. Of which, some 98 percent are also employed,” he said.
In Negros Occidental, thousands are expected to benefit from the academic trainings and employment in the school and export processing zone, respectively.
One of the trainings to be provided by the center is mechanical electronics or mechatronics.
“What we are targeting through this ecozone project is creation of job opportunities,” Montelibano added.
For his part, MBCCI vice president Edward Gasambelo said they are optimistic that the project will be approved by the president within the year.
Gasambelo said that, once approved, the ecozone will be able to normalize its operation in the next five years. (EPN with reports from PNA)