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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider House bill creating 'green industrial zones' hurdles committee level

House bill creating 'green industrial zones' hurdles committee level

Published Mar 5, 2026 03:30 pm

At A Glance

  • The measure seeking to establish "green industrial zones" has been approved in a joint meeting of the Committee on Economic Affairs and Committee on Trade and Industry in the House of Representatives.
Solid North Party-list Rep. Ching Bernos (Facebook)
Solid North Party-list Rep. Ching Bernos (Facebook)


The measure seeking to establish "green industrial zones” has been approved in a joint meeting of the Committee on Economic Affairs and Committee on Trade and Industry in the House of Representatives.
Endorsed for plenary consideration by two panels is House Bill (HB) No. 3112 or the Green Industrial Zone (GIZ) Program Act, a pet measure of Solid North Party-list Rep. Ching Bernos in the current 20th Congress.
The proposed statute aims to promote development in the country through clean energy and sustainable industries received.
“I would like to thank my esteemed colleagues for recognizing the potential of green industrial zones in spurring development especially in the countryside,” Bernos said in a statement Thursday, March 5.
The bill seeks the allocation of an initial P5 billion for the establishment of GIZs in strategic locations across the country - especially in underdeveloped regions with untapped potential for renewable energy, sustainable raw materials, and green entrepreneurship.
The Abra-based lawmaker said that emphasis will be placed on regions such as Northern Luzon - including Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, and adjacent provinces - where local industries such as bamboo processing, agro-industrial manufacturing, eco-textiles, solar assembly, and sustainable packaging offer high potential for inclusive green growth.
GIZs would be designated based on criteria such as: environmental suitability and zoning alignment; proximity to renewable energy sources (e.g., hydro, wind, solar, biomass); availability of labor and potential for green job generation.
Adequate access to transportation, utilities, and logistics infrastructure; proposed or existing presence of enterprises aligned with green standards; availability of shared services such as waste treatment, eco-friendly packaging, and skills training facilities.
Bernos also emphasized the job-generating focus of the bill, as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) would be tasked to create a Green Skills Training and Certification track focused on: renewable energy systems (installation, maintenance); sustainable construction and retrofitting; eco-design and sustainable packaging; bamboo and indigenous material processing; organic agro-processing; and waste recovery, composting, and recycling enterprises.
“Through green industries, we have a chance to pursue sustainable growth while minimizing environmental damage and reducing our carbon footprint," she noted.
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