Zamboecozone beefs up security, BFP presence
THE ZAMBOANGA City Special Economic Zone Authority is expanding the presence of the police and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) within the Zamboecozone through the provision of land for training and offices. Christopher Lawrence S. Arnuco, Zamboecozone chair and administrator, said the presence of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and its Special Action Force (SAF) within the compound has been important for investor confidence over the last five years. “The reason of why we had the surge of income for the last five years, that is because of the presence of the PNPSAF, it bolstered and fostered self-confidence in our investors.,” Mr. Arnuco said during the signing of A deed of Usufruct with the PNP and BFP last Sept. 11. “When we started in 2013, the locators are only roughly at 11, now at 44. Our investments then were about roughly at P14 million, now at P23 billion,” he added. Under the new agreement, SAF has been given one hectare (ha) for its training area in addition to the existing two has. The BFP, meanwhile, has been given 2,000 square meters within the ecozone’s First Industrial Park. The BFP station will cater to the ecozone and the seven surrounding barangays in the city’s western coast. PNP Director Geneneral Oscar D. Albayalde, for his part, said, “We reciprocate the generosity and kindness of the people of Zamboanga with our best performance of duty as your servants and protectors,” adding that the area entrusted to them would be put to good use. —