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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider House okays Bulacan ecozone bill to boost airport project

House okays Bulacan ecozone bill to boost airport project

Published Sep 15, 2020 09:32 pm

Exactly a week after granting San Miguel Corporation the congressional franchise to construct and run a domestic and international airport in Bulacan, the House of Representatives approved Tuesday a bill establishing the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone and Freeport.      

With 205 affirmative votes and six negative, the Lower House passed on third and final reading House Bill 7575 that aims to develop the economic zone and freeport in the area where the San Miguel Aerocity Inc. will establish the international airport.      

The Makabayan bloc provided the negative votes for the measure.  They were also the objectors to the bill granting legislative franchise to the SMAI that was voted upon on third and final reading last week.    

The SMAI has proposed the construction, development and operation of a P735.63-billion world-class airport in Bulacan.      

Authored by key officers of the House majority, HB 7575 creates the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone Freeport  Authority that will manage and operate the Bulacan Ecozone.  The BACSEZFA will have a corporate life of 50 years.       

Included in the long list of authors of the bill were Reps. Sharon Garin (AAMBIS-OWA); Joey Sarte Salceda (PDP-laban, Albay); Eric Go Yap ( ACT CIS Partylist); Deogracias Victor B. Savellano (PDP-Laban, Ilocos Sur); Jonathan Sy-Alvarado (NP, Bulacan);  Michael Defensor (Anakalusugan); and Raneo Abu (NP, Batangas).      

Among others, the BACSEZFA will have the power to operate, administer, manage and develop the Bulacan ecozone.  It shall coordinate with concerned local government units and exercise general supervision over the development plans of the Bulacan ecozone.      

To lure foreign investors, the bill grants an investor's visa to any foreign national who invests at last $20,000 in cash or equipment in a registered enterprise in the Bulacan ecozone. The investor will be allowed to reside in the Philippines while the investment subsists.     

Registered enterprises operating within the Bulacan Ecozone may be entitled to existing incentives granted under Executive Order No. 226.    

In voting against the measure, Gabriela Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas said the proposed ecozone is “inextricably linked to the environmentally and socially devastating” Bulacan airport project.

“This special economic zone will further reinforce the import-dependent and export-oriented nature of our trade and economy, as it will be positioned logistically beside the Aerotropolis,” she said. 

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