The government is determined to save the derailed PhP796-million projects of the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO).

APECO’s projects were 80 percent complete when halted due to problems with contracts.

“Isa ring hinahanapan natin ng solusyon ay ang mga inabandonang proyekto ng APECO na nagkakahalaga ng halos walong daang milyong piso,” President Marcos said during the distribution of assistance to farmers and fisherfolk in Baler, Aurora on Friday.

“Sadyang napakalaking kasayangan ang nangyari po rito na sana ay ngayon ay pinapakinabangan na ng mga mamamayan ng Aurora,” he added.

The President said APECO President and CEO Gil Taway IV has stopped the projects and intends to rebid the contracts to allow the completion of the undertakings.

“Napagdesisyonan na na itigil at i-rebid [na] ang mga kontrata upang tuluyan nang matapos ang mga proyekto sa lalong madaling panahon,” he explained.

Taway said APECO is rebuilding the ecozone by terminating some of the contracts and rebidding them to finish the remaining projects.

Last month, APECO announced it aims to entice investments in the agro-industrial, energy, and defense sectors.

It does not want however Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and other gambling operations within the ecozone.

Lucky Dragon, the sole POGO firm operating in APECO since 2020, left the ecozone in May this year. PND