Malacanang has designated Arcovia City, a Megaworld township project owned and controlled by business mogul Andrew Tan, and parcels of land in Tanza, Cavite, as Special Economic Zones (SEZ).

I’ve seen the Pasig transformed its vacant lots to where it is right now as a highly urbanized city, having been a Kapitolyo resident for more than two decades before I moved to the urban jungle of the Central Business District of Makati.

And this designation through Proclamation No. 512 for Arcovia and 513 for six parcels of land in Barangay Calibuyo in Tanza, Cavite, with an area of 404,141 sq m (40.4 ha), as the MetroCas Industrial Estates Special Economic Zone has perked me up with my mind wandering on its positive, as well as negative impacts.

Oh, don’t get me wrong here, Virginia. I truly admire the change and development of Pasig and its environs. My kids and I used to spend several hours biking around the open area in front of the Benpres Building. And, of course, there’s the Payanig sa Pasig amusement park, a portion of which is now Metrowalk, described to be a small but a major commercial hub.

Apologies for bringing you down the memory lane. Now, back to designating Arcovia as a SEZ. Such would further transform Pasig into an alternative business hub, attracting and encouraging investments, ultimately creating more economic activities.

Areas designated as ecozones are expected to generate positive economic growth since they are armed with incentives and other tax perks. I can just imagine the enormous activities that would be created once the Bulacan Airport City project of diversified food conglomerate San Miguel Corp. becomes a SEZ and Freeport in the province of Bulacan.

This brings me to revisit the Clark Freeport and Economic Zone and Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ). Every now and then, Elisha and I would drive down San Fernando, Pampanga and its neighboring towns of Angeles and Mabalacat to savor the delicacies, especially the Sisig, the province is known for. The progress and developments amazed me but, at the same time, I observed that, at certain hours, traffic has also invaded these towns.

My curiosity led me to the more than a decade-long issue of Harbour Centre Port Terminals, Inc. (HCPTI), which obtained the greenlight to proceed with its joint venture agreement (JVA) with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Heard from SBFZ corridors that this P5.5-billion joint venture holds great potential under the current administration, as its success would be perfectly aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s agenda of establishing and reinforcing foreign trade and investments. 

As business wheels churn, I hope issues are resolved and the SEZ, truly becomes a catalyst of economic growth.