THE province of Zamboanga Sibugay will soon become the third special economic zone in Zamboanga Peninsula, in the mold of Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone and Zamboanga del Norte Agro-Industrial Zone.
Guiling Mamondiong, director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, said Zamboanga Sibugay, along with Tawi-Tawi, has been considered as a special economic zone to spur economic development and address the peace and security concerns.
Mamondiong, in a huddle with some public officials and private sector leaders on a sideline of public consultations on federalism recently, said it is still in the planning stage, but it might be fleshed out soon.
Different special economic zones were set up all over the country in order to facilitate local and foreign direct investments.
The Special Economic Zone Act in 1995, also known as Republic Act 7916, was enacted to restructure among others the Export Processing Zone Authority (Epza) to establish the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza).
The law and its subsequent implementing rules had established ecozones, bringing together the special industrial zones and export processing zones under the fold of Peza.
The ecozones, by law, have preferential treatment for investments. And provision of improved infrastructure and services were offered to attract business locators.
The agri-industrial zone in Zamboanga del Norte was established in the 1990s. Little had been done, however, to achieve the goal of the ecozone.
Zamboanga City followed suit with its ecozone established along the east coast.
VoxPop Philippines tried to reach Governor Wilter Palma through text message to comment on the planned establishment of the ecozone, but he has yet replied as of this posting Wednesday afternoon. (VoxPop Philippines)