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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Economic zones to provide jobs for those displaced by pandemic - Marcos

Economic zones to provide jobs for those displaced by pandemic - Marcos

Published Jan 11, 2022 03:01 pm

The economic zones could truly provide jobs and means of livelihood for many residents reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic and other natural calamities such as the recent onslaught of super typhoon ‘’Odette,’’ Senator Imee Marcos on Monday, January 11 said.

Marcos, chairwoman of the Senate Economic Affairs committee, made this assessment as her committee conducted a public hearing on 10 bills seeking to establish 10 economic zones in the country.

She said her committee has been conscious of updating the bills and would include the amendments in the committee report to be able to comply with the controversial and well-debated incentive system consistent with the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act has put in place.

Marcos made this explanation after Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon said he has no objection to the proposed measures, but he wanted to know if they are consistent with the CREATE Act, adding that many of the bills were filed before the enactment of the law.

"Are all these measures consistent with the CREATE bill and if not, is there an intention on the part of the committee and the committee chairperson to amend it so that it will conform to the provisions of the CREATE law?” Drilon asked

Marcos stressed that “we have also seen... the flight of many big investors to our neighboring countries as we continue to be the laggard in so many of these FDIs (Foreign Direct Investments).’’

‘’We need a far more aggressive approach to entice investors and you can count on my support for these initiatives from the individual local government units, as well as representatives in the House of Representatives,’’ she said.

The Marcos committee discussed today the following ecozone bills:

(Senate Bill (SB) 2193 (SIRM) and House Bill (HB) 10233 - Cebu 4th District Special Economic Zone Act

SB 2270 (SIRM) - Marinduque Special Economic Zone Act

HB 10108 - Metro Iloilo Special Economic Zone Act

HB 10109 - Occidental Mindoro Special Economic Zone Act

HB 10216 - Oriental Mindoro Special Economic Zone Act

HB 10217 - Ilocos Sur Special Economic Zone Act

HB 10218 - Bislig Special Economic Zone Act

HB 10243 - Bacolod Special Economic Zone Act

HB 10244 - Northern Bohol Special Economic Zone Act

HB 10255 - Paluan Special Economic Zone Act.

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