The establishment of special economic zones in the country could spell a swift turn-around in the economy of various regions and provinces as government battles the economic devastation brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Occidental Mindoro Rep. Josephine Ramirez-Sato aired this observation as she lauded the House of Representatives for the passage of two bills she filed proposing the establishment of special economic zones in the province in order to spurt business activities.

Ramirez-Sato noted that the House Committee on Economic Affairs has been very supportive of a number of legislative measures proposing to establish economic zones.

House Bill 10109 which seeks to put up an ecozone in the municipalities of San Jose and Magsaysay and HB 10255 proposing a similar ecozone in Palauan have been approved on third and final reading.

The House panel has also acted on the proposed ecozones in Baguio City and adjoining localities; Bacolod City, Bohol and Cavite City.

The Occidental Mindoro special economic zone bills are currently pending before the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Sen. Imee Marcos.

Sato, who has filed her certificate of candidacy as provincial governor, said the two measures seek to improve the quality of life of her constituents by attracting investments and creating local jobs that would position Occidental Mindoro as a key industrial hub along the West Philippine Sea corridor.

“The COVID-19 pandemic put on hold the economic development of Occidental Mindoro and has made life extremely hard for its people. We need to draw in investors and spur economic activities in the province to help the local economy recover,” Sato said.

Sato’s HBN 10109 seeks to put up a “green hub” at the San Jose – Magsaysay area and highlight the province’s reputation as one of the country’s top producers of rice and other agricultural commodities. It is expected to cater to agro-agri-based industries.

The lawmaker said the centerpiece of the undertaking shall be the creation of a food terminal and a marine ecological park to address food security and marine eco protection concerns.

The food terminal shall provide for the storage, processing, and trading of agricultural commodities for MIMAROPA and Luzon. It seeks to promote agriculture value chain by linking farmers and farm workers, producers and traders, as well as consumers. A mariculture center for fisheries and seaweeds productions shall also be established.

The measure would likewise promote the pristine island beaches of southern Occidental Mindoro.

On the other hand, HBN 10255 is a push for the creation of the Palauan “blue hub” for the manufacture of light to medium shipping vessels, which is a century-old tradition in Palauan, and for the construction of facilities for docking, repair and construction of all types of shipping vessels.

The proposed Paluan ecozone will be located near the international port of Batangas, as well as the local ports of Abra de Ilog and Calapan in Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro.

The blue hub takes advantage of the strategic location of the island province of Occidental Mindoro as a major international navigational route. It is at the center of a strategic sea lane linking Mindoro Strait to the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea. Studies show that around 80,000 shipping vessels per annum use this trade route for commercial navigation.

“We need to open up the local economy to off-island investors so we can create more jobs and help families recover from the financial difficulties brought about by the pandemic. Hawak kamay at tulong-tulong, makakabangon ang Occidental Mindoro mula sa pandemyang ito,” Sato said.