Lawmaker files bill creating Aurora special economic zone

BALER, Aurora — The lone congressional representative of this province has introduced a bill in Congress creating a special economic zone (SEZ) and freeport authority to pump-prime Aurora’s productivity and improve the living conditions of its constituents.

House Bill 93, authored by Rep. Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara, entitled the "Aurora Special Economic Zone Act" proposes the development of the province into a self-sustaining industrial, commercial, financial, investment and tourism/recreational center with free port and suitable retirement/residential areas to generate jobs and effectively encourage and attract legitimate and productive foreign investments.

The bill has been approved at the committee level by the committee on economics chaired by Albay Rep. Joel Salceda and in the committee on way and means subject to amendments in line with the bill rationalizing fiscal incentives.

Angara said the creation of a special economic zone and freeport authority, referred to as ASEZA, in the province would effectively respond to the urgent national effort to minimize, if not eradicate poverty among the citizenry, especially for local residents in the area which is classified as one of the 20 depressed provinces in the country.

Under the bill’s explanatory note, the envisioned seaports would provide international accessibility critical to the influx of foreign capital.

The zone, to be called the Aurora Ecozone, on the other hand, would be able to provide an alternative location for investment in the Philippines considering Aurora’s abundance in human and natural resources such as rich and arable agricultural land, diverse marine life and mineral resources such as manganese, chromium, copper and nickel.

The ecozone shall cover the municipalities of Casiguran, Dilasag, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Dingalan, San Luis, Ma. Aurora and this capital town subject to the concurrence of the local government units (LGUs) in these areas. It shall be provided with transportation, telecommunications and other facilities needed to attract legitimate and productive investments, generate linkage industries and employment opportunities for the province and neighboring towns and cities.

It may also establish mutually beneficial economic relations with local entities or enterprises or, subject to administrative guidance of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), with foreign enterprises or entities.

ASEZA, which shall be under the supervision of the Office of the President, is proposed to operate for 50 years with its principal office to be located in this town but it may establish branches in the country or abroad. It shall have an authorized capital stock of P2 billion with a minimum issue value of P10 each. An initial amount of P250 million shall be sourced from the National Government.

Its powers shall be exercised by a board of directors composed of the chairman who shall concurrently serve as administrator, a vice chairman and members consisting of the provincial governor, the congressional representative, the mayors of the various towns, a representative each from the domestic and foreign investor and two representatives from the labor sector of the ecozone.

The chairman and members of the board, except the ex-officio members, shall be appointed by the President and serve a term of six years. In case of death, resignation or removal for cause, the replacement shall serve only the unexpired term.

The governor, congressman and mayors’s terms as ex-officio board members correspond to their terms of office.

Except for the representatives of the business and labor sectors, no person shall be appointed by the President as a member of the board unless he is a Filipino, of good moral character, of proven probity and integrity and a degree holder in economics, business, public administration, law, management or their equivalent and at least 10 years relevant working experience.

Foreigners and owners of foreign companies may set up enterprises in the ecozone either by themselves or in joint venture with Filipinos.