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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senate OKs Bulacan Special Ecozone bill on final reading

Senate OKs Bulacan Special Ecozone bill on final reading

Published Mar 18, 2024 09:35 am

The Senate has approved on third and final reading the proposed creation of the Bulacan Special Economic Zone and Freeport Act (BEZA).

Twenty-two (22) senators gave affirmative votes, there were zero negatives and zero abstentions on Senate Bill No. 2572, sponsored by Sen. Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs.

President Marcos had earlier vetoed the measure citing its supposed “substantial fiscal risks to the country” and its “infringement on or conflict with other agencies’ mandates and authorities.”

Poe thanked Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, Sen. Imee Marcos for fighting for the measure, and for Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda and Senators Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Christopher “Bong” Go and Pia Cayetano for co-sponsoring the measure.

“They saw what the Bulacan Ecozone can bring to the Bulacan community and to the rest of the region,” Poe said in her privilege speech on Monday, March 18.

“I am proud to say through our collective brainstorming, we have crafted a vastly improved bill that adheres to constitutional provision on land conversion; that balances economic growth with environmental protection; and that warrants greater LGU representation at its helm,” Poe stressed.

Villanueva, who hails from Bulacan, also welcomed the approval on third and final reading of the Bualacan ecozone bill, saying its creation can generate up to 1.2 million jobs for the people and bring in P37.84-billion to P130.9-billion worth of investments.

Under the Senate’s version of the bill, Villanueva said the Province of Bulacan and concerned local government units (LGUs) will be properly consulted.

“We especially thank Senator Poe for agreeing with our proposal to increase the LGU representation in the Board of Directors of the Bulacan Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority or BEZA, and for accepting our amendments to promote the protection of environment and improved management of natural resources in the BuZ, as well as to ensure the transfer of technology and skills to Filipino workers through the implementation of an understudy and skills development program,” Villanueva said.

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano also joined the upper chamber in supporting the bill despite raising certain concerns about the creation of the Bulacan ecozone.

Cayetano said he voted yes to the measure but will submit an explanation of his reservation. Earlier, he cited the impotance of a comprehensive studies and cost-benefit analysis that should be provided by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

“I'm really curious and excited for Bulacan to have a super economic zone. On the other hand, it's the first time na y’ung buong province will be part of an economic zone so I'm a little bit concerned about the feasibility and how it will work," Cayetano explained.

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bulacan ecozone Senate of the Philippines Grace Poe
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