MB FILE - Director general of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Charito Plaza (MANILA BULLETIN)
By Philippine News Agency
The newly appointed head of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has reaffirmed the agency’s support for the administration’s goal to further develop Mindanao.
PEZA Director General Charito Plaza said in an interview that among the agency’s initiatives to promote development in Mindanao are reducing energy cost and establishing more economic zones in the southern part of the country.
Plaza said she had discussions with Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi to consider cutting power rates in economic zones that will be established in Mindanao.
“I was told we’re paying around Php12.00 per kilowatt hour. Now, it will be lower -- Php5.00 or less than Php10.00. We’re looking into that,” she said.
“Also, PEZA has a franchise authority. Our plan is that every economic zone will have its own power, telecommunications, and water supply services. We will be inviting the industries, these water and power supply, and we will also go into renewable energy,” the PEZA chief added.
Earlier, Plaza said PEZA wants a defense industrial complex to rise in Mindanao where manufacturing of defense equipment will operate and will generate jobs for the region.
Plaza likewise mentioned that Malaysian palm oil producer Alif Global Islamic Equities Sdn. Bhd. Eyes to invest USD1.0 billion for an agro-industrial economic zone in Agusan del Sur