CEBU, Philippines- Around 42 registered economic zones are operating in Central Visayas while some are being developed in some parts of Cebu and Negros Oriental, data from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority showed.
The PEZA data also indicated that Central Visayas region has 29 registered operating IT (information technology) parks and centers -- 26 of these are in Cebu and three in Negros Oriental.
There are about 13 IT parks and centers being developed in Cebu and two in Negros Oriental. But some of these have already started operating commercially.
Cebu has seven manufacturing economic zones located in Lapu-Lapu City, in Cebu City’s South Reclamation Project and cities of Naga and Danao. One manufacturing zone is being developed in Bogo City called the Polambato-Bogo Economic Zone.
There are two tourism economic zones in Lapu-Lapu City including the Mactan Newtown of Megaworld Corp. and one in South Road Properties in Cebu City -- the SM Seaside City of SM Prime.
While two agro-industrial economic zones are operating in the region: the Carmen Cebu Gum Industrial Zone in Cebu and Valencia Special Economic Zone in Negros Oriental.
The FREEMAN earlier reported that the Cebu provincial government has proposed for the creation of a 550-hectare economic zone from Talisay City to Minglanilla town and Naga City.
The Provincial Development Council already submitted a feasibility study on the project to the Regional Development Council for funding next year.
The economic zone wants to spur economic growth in cities and municipalities within Metro Cebu.
The PEZA has been encouraging more projects and investments in economic zones in the country to answer the constant demand for employment. (FREEMAN)