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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Development? Bulacan has nowhere to go but up, says Villanueva

Development? Bulacan has nowhere to go but up, says Villanueva

Published Jul 12, 2025 11:41 am  |  Updated Jul 12, 2025 01:27 pm

At A Glance

  • Senator Joel Villanueva said Bulacan is poised to become a strategic economic hub with its diverse economy, skilled workforce, major infrastructure projects, and potential to host ₱18.7 billion worth of food security investments that could create 7,000 jobs.
Senator Joel Villanueva says Bulacan is poised to become a strategic economic hub in the country, citing its diverse economy, highly-skilled workforce, and improved access to the free ports of Subic and Bataan.
Senator Joel Villanueva
Senator Joel Villanueva
“Bulacan is a natural extension of Metro Manila going to the north. The rails are coming, the airport is being constructed, more roads are being built. Development has nowhere to go but Bulacan,” he said as he described his home province.
Villanueva highlighted the potential of Bulacan to host several food security projects approved by the Board of Investments as of the end of June this year.
The 31 projects, already granted Green Lane certifications, are worth around P18.7 billion and are estimated to create 7,000 jobs.
The Green Lane was established through an executive order to streamline, expedite, and automate government approval and registration processes for strategic investments.
Villanueva said the projects include modern breeder farms, a coconut processing facility, and a cold storage facility that can be set up in Bulacan.
Data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that in 2023, Bulacan had the fourth-largest economy outside Metro Manila in terms of share of the national gross domestic product, contributing P631.64 billion.
The Central Luzon (CL) Region is the largest producer of rice and livestock in the country. Palay production of Bulacan alone reached 387,699 metric tons in 2021, fourth in the CL Region, based on the 2022 CL Regional Social and Economic Trend.
Meanwhile, Bulacan’s hog production is also third in the region in 2021 at 21,597 heads.
The province can benefit from more cold storage facilities for aquaculture products for domestic consumption and export of prawn, crabs and milkfish. Bulacan is also known for processing gold into jewelry.
Villanueva said the Bulacan local government should continue to prepare for the upsurge of investments by upskilling workers and priming businesses for a more competitive landscape.
“All hands should be on deck, from the local government, to the academe, the business sector, and other stakeholders. We want to show we are ready for every opportunity,” Villanueva said.

Related Tags

Joel Villanueva food security Bulacan
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