MANILA, Philippines- Inihayag ni Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri na nakatakdang lumikha ang Senado ng isang special economic zone sa Bulacan province upang makahimok ng mas maraming foreign investors at suportahan ang malapit nang matapos na aerotropolis sa labas ng Metro Manila.
Sa ginanap na pagdinig ng Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, sinabi ni Zubiri na muli nitong inihain ang Senate Bill No. 2266, o ang An Act Establishing the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone and Freeport, upang pasiglahin ang economic development sa pamamagitan ng paghimok ng manufacturers sa iba’t-ibang industriya na magtayo ng pasilidad sa naturang lugar.
“It embodies a vision of comprehensive development and inclusive growth in the province of Bulacan and nearby areas,” ayon kay Zubiri.
Naniniwala si Zubiri na magiging susunod na growth area para sa ecozone ang Bulacan tulad ng pag-unlad ng ecozones sa Clark, Pampanga at ang Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).
“Despite being previously vetoed by President Marcos, it remains a crucial catalyst to bring infrastructure development, attract investments and create jobs in the area,” aniya.
Ayon kay Zubiri, tutugunan ng panukala ang pangangailangan ng administrasyon na ipinalutang sa pag-veto ng orihinal na panukala noong 18th Congress na dapat naaprubahan nitong 2022.
“We have to answer the concerns then to make sure that we do not have the same concerns again now,” giit niya.
Ayon kay Zubiri, isusulong ng eco-zone ang potensyal sa ekonomiya ng P740-billion New Manila International Airport sa Bulacan, na tina-target na makahimok ng 100 milyong pasahero kada taon.
Naunang inihayag ng conglomerate San Miguel Corp. na magsisimula sa 2026 ang commercial operations sa aerotropolis dahil matatapos ang lahat ng land development activities sa dambuhlang airport complex sa susunod na taon.
“This special economic zone is envisioned to attract world-class semiconductor manufacturers, battery power storage system manufacturers, electric vehicle makers and other new and emerging tech industries,” wika ni Zubiri.
“The proposed Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone and Freeport is expected to add US$200 billion in annual Philippine export revenues over the next decade – an increase of around 170 percent of current annual exports,” giit pa niya. Ernie Reyes
