Mactan, Cebu – In light of 29 years in eco-zoning the Philippines towards inclusive and sustainable development, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Tereso O. Panga and other officials visited the Mactan Economic Zone (MEZ) last 02-04 May 2024.
This three-day visit included a series of business engagements aimed at identifying challenges, assessing potential economic opportunities, and further improving the investment climate on Mactan Island.
Discussion with the MEZ MANCOM
Committed to continuously raising the bar of service excellence, DG Panga met with the MEZ Management Committee (MANCOM) to outline its plans and programs in the zone, addressing various support and operational concerns that impede the realization of MEZ’s goal to significantly contribute to PEZA’s mission. This is in line with PEZA’s commitment to competitive service for our valued investor-stakeholder partners.
The members of the MEZ MANCOM sincerely appreciated the presence of the PEZA Chief and officials from the Head Office for providing immediate and on-point resolution of concerns.
Consultative meeting with the MEPZCEM Chamber Inc.
Recognizing the importance of synergy with stakeholder-partners, DG Panga and MEZ Zone Administrator Emmanuel Cortero met with the new Board of Directors and officers of the MEPZCEM Chamber Inc. to discuss continuous improvements to the investment climate on Mactan Island.
The MEPZCEM officers, headed by President and Operations Director of LEAR Philippines Ms. Lorena Baluran, presented consolidated business challenges for PEZA’s continued support and assistance.
In response, Director General Panga provided an update on PEZA’s activities aimed at easing the business process to ultimately reduce the cost of doing business in the economic zones.
Over the years, the MEPZCEM Chamber Inc. has been a staunch partner of PEZA, promoting competitive and sustainable economic growth.
AM SWISS Microtec Inc.’s Expansion Inauguration
During the three-day visit, the PEZA Chief also graced the inauguration of AM SWISS Microtec Inc.’s expansion project in MEZ.
As the event’s guest of honor, the Director General highlighted the company’s economic contributions, totaling US$ 8.94 billion in exports and creating 309 direct jobs since beginning operations in 2017.
“The expansion is a testament to the successful outbound missions of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., promoting the country to global investors, particularly with increasing investments and strategic industries from Switzerland and the EU,” stated Panga.
Director General Panga also extended PEZA’s heartfelt appreciation to the local government of Lapu-Lapu City, under the leadership of Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan, for their unwavering support of PEZA and commitment to the ecozone development program, which has played a crucial role in boosting revenue, job creation, and fostering an environment conducive to investment and growth. Panga further expressed his pride in partnering with valued ecozone investors who share PEZA’s vision for growth and development.
It is worth mentioning that as of date, there are six ecozones in Lapu-Lapu City hosting 324 locator companies, contributing PhP 90.675 billion in investments, US$ 2.322 billion in exports in 2023, and 67,358 direct jobs. The Director General also highlighted the contributions of PEZA ecozones and locators’ remittance of the 2% share to the local government, amounting to PhP 267 million in 2022.
Other stakeholders in Mactan, Cebu
Aside from this, Director General Panga also took the opportunity to visit other PEZA locators in Cebu, one of which is TMX Philippines Inc.
One of the first PEZA locators in Mactan Island established in 1978, TMX has contributed a total of Php 428.673 million in investment, US$ 702.561 million in total exports, and has provided employment opportunities to 1,349 ecozone workers over the past five years. TMX has further established a worldwide distribution center involving strapping, packing, labeling, and distribution to various retail outlets in MEZ.
Moreover, the PEZA Chief also paid a visit to Pacific Mactan Renewable Environmental Systems Inc. (PMRESI).
Upon its registration with PEZA, PMRESI has primarily operated and managed a Solid and Industrial Toxic and Hazardous Waste Treatment facility, servicing MEZ as well as other special economic zones located in the province of Cebu. The operations of PMRESI in MEZ uphold PEZA’s commitment to sustainability and advocacy for the emergence of green technologies in the economic zones.
Within the three-day visit, business meetings with several companies were held, such as Lear Automotive Services (Netherlands) B.V. – Philippine Branch, E-Safe Facilities & Management Inc., Metro Wear Inc., and Topline Properties and Development Corporation. The officials of the aforementioned RBEs shared with the PEZA Director General their respective business plans and challenges as they further advance their investment opportunities on Mactan Island.
With the successful visit, the PEZA management is firmly supportive of the plans outlined aimed at driving potential valuable investments and create more economic opportunities not just in the province of Cebu but for the entire country.
“Under the present leadership, PEZA will be open, innovative, and above all, protective of our locators. I look forward to your sustained presence and expansion plans because these have a direct impact on generating employment for our LGUs and improving the local economy of the Philippines,” assured DG Panga.
The PEZA Chief also added, “All these endeavors and success stories of our ecozone developers and locators are just the beginning of the groundwork that the government is doing toward attaining a full economic boom. As such, we will continue to make the ecozone program relevant and vibrant as we promote clean and green production and the creation of more eco-industrial parks in rural and new growth areas to accelerate our countrywide development and attract more FDIs to the country.” #
