Press Release
January 28, 2010

BICAMERAL PANEL OKs AURORA FREEPORT ACT

Senator Edgardo J. Angara led the passage of a bill seeking to convert the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone Authority (APECO) in Casiguran, Aurora into a Freeport in the bicameral conference held yesterday at the New World Renaissance Hotel.

Angara, principal author of Senate Bill 3470 or the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Act, said the creation of a Freeport in Aurora will spur economic development, not only in the province of Aurora, but also in the whole of Central and Northern Luzon.

"The EcoZone will attract more foreign investors and has the potential of becoming a trade hub in Asia once developed to its fullest. Aurora's strategic location offers easy access to Manila and the other ports of Luzon, making it an ideal starting point for the inflow of commerce," he added.

Angara aims at making it a model agro-marine center with a fish port, processing and canning provisions, reefer facilities and mariculture of high value marine products. "It will be an excellent center for research and development in agro-marine technology and vocational trades with the establishment of the 112-hectare campus of the Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT). It will be the first in the country to run on renewable energy and energy efficient technology."

Plans for the APECO also include bringing in the outsourcing (BPO) industry and IT centers; the development of a high-end residential zone that is fully integrated in a well-equipped village, complete with all amenities and business centers; marina and waterfront promenades; flexible ports and logistics docks and further access roads by viaducts and tunnels.

To date a good number of potential investors have shown interest to locate in the economic zone, one of which is the TECO Group from Taiwan under the leadership of Mr. Ted Huang, who already visited the site of the zone. Other interested parties are companies from Singapore, South Korea and Spain.

Angara said, "With the passage of this bill, APECO will serve as the first eco-zone designed to be the country's Gateway to the Pacific and a prominent transshipment port--the first in the Philippines."

The Bicameral conference was attended by Sen. Angara, Sen. Zubiri, Rep. Sonny Angara, Rep. Durano, Rep. Romulo and Rep. Chipeco.

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