Director General Lilia de Lima of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority yesterday challenged local officials to push for the creation of more economic zones in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City that, so far, have 25, citing the huge agro-industrial and manufacturing potential of the province.

De Lima, who was the guest speaker at the Negros First CyberCentre dedication and laying of time capsule, said that, aside from the jobs in information technology created in the province, work is also needed for those who do not reach high school or college.

She noted that, every year, more than one million Filipinos reach working age so the country needs to create one million corresponding jobs annually.

PEZA provides incentives, not only for foreign, but for Filipino firms as well, which do not necessarily have to be big companies, in economic zones, De Lima said.

She also stressed the need for the creation of economic zones now because the trend worldwide is for investors to look to Asia, especially for manufacturing, and, “No one can beat the Philippines now as the best investment site.”

“The Philippines is the most popular expansion destination of American companies now,” she said.

When she promotes the Philippines to investors abroad, De Lima said, she proudly tells them, “In this reformist administration of President Benigno Aquino III, his policies are level playing field, good governance and no corruption”.

She said that gets the biggest applause from investors who do not want to be faced with unexpected costs from corrupt people in government.

De Lima said Negros Occidental has a huge potential, citing its vast agricultural lands and the creativity of its producers.

She said the annual exhibits of the members of the Association of Negros Producers are a hit. “We in Manila wait for exhibits of their products. From food to handicrafts, they produce the best, they have very brilliant designs,” she said.

The country today has 271 economic zones, 25 of which are located in Bacolod and Negros Occidental, De Lima added.

The largest of the economic zones approved by PEZA in Negros Occidental is the Bacolod City Special Economic Zone of the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp., located at the reclaimed area that covers 250 hectares and is earmarked for manufacturing, she said.

Of the 25 economic zones, 20 are information technology centers and parks, mostly located in Bacolod City, she said.

They are the Lopue's East IT Center, Luxur Plaza IT Formation Centre, Monfort Information Technology Building, One Sanparq, Robinsons Cybergate Center, Transcom Center Bacolod, Two Sanparq, Lopue's South Square IT Park, The Block IT Park, Lopue's San Sebastian IT Center, St. Francis IT Center, Bacolod IT Park, De La Rama Center, Everden IT Center, Hi Response IT Center, Negros First CyberCentre, SM Bacolod IT Center, the Central District IT Park, The Grand IT Park, all in Bacolod City, and the Ayala North Point TechnoHub in Talisay City.

Those approved as agro industrial economic zones are the San Carlos Ecozone and San Carlos Ecozone II in San Carlos City, and the North Negros Agro-Industrial Export Processing Zone in Sagay City; while the Pulupandan Ecozone in Pulupandan town is a manufacturing ecozone, she said.

De Lima, who has headed the PEZA for 17 years, from the time of President Fidel Ramos, said she is the aunt of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

“I am the original, she is the upgraded version,” she said.*CPG

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