Philippines eyes more ecozones in rural areas
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte has directed government agencies to expedite the development of special economic zones in rural areas to spur economic growth outside of Metro Manila.
Duterte (pictured, AFP) signed Administrative Order No 18 on June 17 to spur “rural progress through robust development of special economic zones in the countryside”.
The presidential directive tasked the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) and other government agencies to accelerate the human capital and infrastructure development in rural areas.
“There is a need to promote rural development, ment, ensure inclusive growth in n the countryside and create robust obust economic activity and nd wealth generation in areas reas outside Metro Manila,” the order read.
Peza, the Department of Information tion and Communications s Technology, Department t of Trade and Industry, ndustry, Department ment of Transporportation, Dep a r t m e n t of Public blic Works and H i g h w a y s and the Te c h n i c a l E d u c a t i o n and Skills Development ment
A u t h o r i t y were told to provide interventions to strengthen economic zones in the countryside, and ensure the development of linkages of industries in the zones.
Under the directive, Peza will no longer accept, process, or evaluate applications for the creation of economic zones in Metro Manila until the moratorium is lifted.
However, the moratorium will not prevent locator companies from beginning their operations in existing economic zones in Metro Manila. Existing applications endorsed by Peza which were already submitted to the Office of the President are not included, as long as the applications have sufficient documents. Applications with insufficient documents will not be covered c by the moratorium if the t Peza was notified of the deficiencies and addressed these within 30 days from the effectivity of the adminis administrative order. The exclusi exclusion of an application from the moratorium wil will not be a guaran guarantee that the appl application will be approved. T The administ istrative order w will take effect i m m e d i a t e l y u upon its publication in a n e w s p a p e r of general circulation.