BuCor, PEZA to develop Iwahig Prison in Palawan as special economic zone
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) on Thursday, Nov. 20, signed a joint memorandum circular (JMC) for the use of the reservation of the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF) in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan as a special economic zone.
BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said the JMC is a strong commitment to develop the Palawan Mega Economic Zone into a thriving hub for business and investment.
The JMC was signed by Catapang and Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Tereso O. Pangan.
The memorandum circular facilitates the transfer of the exclusive use and possession of a designated area within the IPPF to be developed as an Ecozone.
The circular has to be submitted for a Presidential Proclamation, Catapang said.
Under the revenue-sharing arrangement, the PEZA is tasked with remitting to the BuCor 90 percent of the collected monthly rental fees from properties leased to registered business enterprises while the PEZA retains the 10 percent management fee.
The BuCor said that it is “responsible for assuring that it holds full legal title to the property and must secure necessary government clearances, including environmental compliance and endorsements from local government units” while “PEZA is charged with the crucial task of preparing the Presidential Proclamation that will officially designate the property as a Special Economic Zone, coordinating the actions of the Technical Working Group to ensure all necessary documentation is thoroughly prepared.”