Tieza wants stronger private sector ties

The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) has educated private sector operators of tourism enterprise zones (TEZs) on the management of their properties in a bid to strengthen their partnership.

In a post in its Facebook page, TIEZA said its TEZ management sector recently conducted an orientation for registered tourism estate management facilities and services (TEMFS) or operators of designated private TEZs.

“The participants were acquainted of the benefits and responsibilities of being a TEZ operator, requirements to maintain designation, procedures on how to avail of incentives and how to obtain permits and licenses, and the participation of operators in the monitoring of TEZs,” the agency said.

The two-day orientation was attended by key officers of Hijo Resources Corp., ACQ Solomonic Builders Development Corp., Panglao Bay Premiere, and Bravo Golf Resort and Residences.

Last November, TIEZA approved the registration of Hijo Resources as TEMFS of Hijo Resorts TEZ in Tagum City, Davao del Norte as well as the designation of Panglao Bay Premiere Flagship TEZ and its comprehensive tourism masterplan.

The TIEZA also signed the registration of Bravo Hotel as the operator for Bravo Gold Resorts, in Negros Oriental and the registration of ACQ Solomonic Builders as the operator for the Kingdom Global City TEZ in Davao City late last year.

“The orientation was aimed not only to provide information but to strengthen the partnership between TIEZA and the private sector as well,” TIEZA said.

The agency added that with the affirmation of the Bureau of Internal Revenue that incentives for TEZs may be enjoyed by investors even beyond 2019, investors are encouraged to apply with TIEZA as TEZ operator or tourism enterprise.

“Investing in tourism, especially in Tourism Enterprise Zones, allows them to be contributors to sustainable development and inclusive growth. The time to invest in tourism is now,” TIEZA said.

TIEZA officer-in-charge for the TEZ management sector Nino Ruperto Aquino earlier told The STAR the agency is eyeing to approve at least 12 TEZs this year.

At present, it takes around two to three months for the TIEZA board to process and designate TEZ applications by area, according to Aquino.

He said the processing time may be cut short to one month if applicants submit all the required documents.

In 2017, the TIEZA approved the application of two flagship TEZs and one private TEZ.