Photo Release

Two ecozones to be established: Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri presides over the Committee on Economic Affairs hearing to discuss the establishment of special economic zones in Ilocos Sur and Antique. In tackling Senate Bill No. 1599 and House Bill No. 9075 (Ilocos Sur Special Economic Zone Act), and SBN 2322 (Antique Special Economic Zone Act) during Wednesday's hearing, February 5, 2025, Zubiri said: “Our economic zones bring tremendous growth to our country, creating avenues for infrastructural development and creating employment opportunities for our people and give good skilled jobs and good wages to match. So naturally we want to set up more of them especially in areas that remain far from existing ecozones,” Zubiri said. SBN 1599 seeks to establish a special economic zone which shall cover a particular area located in the municipalities of San Juan and Cabugao, Province of llocos Sur, and which shall be managed and operated by the llocos Sur Special Economic Zone Authority (ISSEZA). While SBN 2322 seeks to: 1) establish, develop, and operate a self-sustaining industrial, commercial, financial, investment, and tourism center in the province of Antique; 2) encourage and attract legitimate and productive foreign investors and business locators by providing fiscal incentives; 3) expand and deepen Antique's growth and productivity, and raise the quality of life and the living conditions of its people through the creation of jobs and income opportunities; and 4) preserve its indigenous heritage, and to sustainably develop, manage and protect its rich marine and coastal resources. (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)