Senate reworks vetoed Bulacan ecozone bill

MANILA, Philippines — A Senate panel tackled yesterday a proposed measure that would “cure and address” the proposal to create the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone vetoed by President Marcos on his first full day in office.

During yesterday’s public hearing of the Senate committee on economic affairs chaired by Sen. Grace Poe, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said he refiled the proposed Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone and Freeport Act.

“And this Senate Bill 2266... is a bill that I refiled, which we have already approved in the last (18th) Congress. It embodies a vision of comprehensive development and inclusive growth in the province of Bulacan and nearby areas. Despite being previously vetoed by the President, it remains a crucial catalyst in inspring infrastructure development, attracting investments and creating jobs in the area,” said Zubiri in his opening statement.

Marcos vetoed the bill creating the BACSEZFA, saying he “cannot support the bill considering the provisions that pose fiscal risks to the country and its infringement on or conflict with other agencies’ mandates and authorities.”

Being the main proponent of the measure, Zubiri said the new version of SB 2266 “addresses and cures the issues of the President’s veto.”

“We have to answer what were the concerns then to make sure that we do not have the same concerns again now… as well as the economic potential and overall impact of the measure on the community,” the Senate President added.

Zubiri admitted committing “a mistake when we passed some of the provisions” of the CREATE (Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act) measure.

Poe in the 18th Congress sponsored the franchise of San Miguel Aerocity, also known as the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan, to decongest the third most stressful airport in Asia. She said the measure would tackle the lack of cohesion regarding infrastructure surrounding the airport, among others.

As chair of the public services committee for some time, Poe said she was well aware of the problems in the airport operations, especially at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the country’s main gateway to the world.

“Although efforts have been made to improve the airport, it continues to be plagued by poor infra, even worse service and congestion that can no longer be fully solved under the existing setup,” she noted.

Sen. JV Ejercito supported the establishment of the BACSEZFA in a bid to spread development to the countryside.

San Miguel Corp. is currently building a new airport in Bulakan, Bulacan. The airport will cover 2,500 hectares and accommodate six runways, with a total capacity of 100 million passengers annually.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian raised the need to thoroughly study the veto message of the President to ensure that the proposed measure seeking to establish the BACSEZFA will not suffer the same fate.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said the proposals to establish the new ecozone would usher in more development in the province and Central Luzon, and provide jobs to thousands, if not millions, of Filipinos, particularly Bulakeños.