The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) reiterated its pledge to lead sustainable development in Northeast Luzon during the budget hearing at the Senate today.
“APECO would not only lead sustainable development in North Eastern Luzon but also to foster socio-economic growth and businesses throughout the eastern seaboard,” said Robbie Mathay, president and chief executive officer of APECO.
The proposed budget for 2012 of APECO, an attached corporation to the Department of Trade and Industry, amounts to Php332.5 million.
Lending their support to APECO at the budget hearing were chieftains of indigenous Dumagat tribe and the board members of the provincial government of Aurora namely Butch Bautista, Ruben Alipio, Denia Valin, Oscar Padua, Renato Pascua, Cesar Pimentel and Consuelo Castillo.
Mathay showed that the on-going infrastructure development in APECO is at full blast. The administration building and entrance plaza, costing Php98 million and Php15 million respectively, will be completed by November 2011. The hotel building worth Php202 million will be completed by March 2012.
Mathay also discussed the proposed infrastructure development for 2012 namely the standard factory building worth Php212.5 million and the Light Industrial building which is worth Php180 million.
The Casiguran Airport’s 1.2 kilometer airship is being expanded to 1.5 kilometer worth Php92 million. The extension project will be finished by June 2012.
“What makes us different from other ecozones is that APECO is already green to start with and we want to keep it that way,” said Ramon Fernando, Deputy Administrator of APECO.
Casiguran, the northern municipality of Aurora where APECO is located, is an ideal starting point for the inflow of commerce as it will be able to capitalize on the Pacific’s re-emergence as the world’s premier maritime route and jumpstart the inflow of investments into the Northeastern quadrangle of Luzon.
Four Taiwanese-owned companies have signified their interest to invest in mariculture, agri-business and port construction in APECO in recognition of the ecozone and province’s enormous potential for business expansion.
All four companies affirmed their commitment to help develop APECO as a leading global transshipment and investment hub in the Pacific.
Chinabond has been in the mining industry since the 1980’s but is now venturing into organic rice production in APECO. It aims to improve the quality and yield of local rice varieties in Aurora. Chinabond is also looking into further investments in hog raising, feed processing and hydroelectric power generation.
TP Color Corporation, which is also in the mining industry, is set to expand into port construction and operation. The company initially plans to establish a port facility in APECO then later on go into the aquaculture business.
Philippine Kingford is a company that specializes in tuna export, ship repair and freight forwarding. The company has chosen APECO as the site of for its expansion into milkfish and grouper production, for which it will build its own facility in APECO.
Great Sun Optoelectronic is a highly diversified company engaged in construction, trading, manufacturing computer and TV monitors and providing medical services. It will invest in an aquaculture facility for milkfish and grouper breeding, as well as a coconut processing plant.
APECO spans 1,000 hectares and has a custom-designed seaport and airport that will drive economic activity in agro-industries, mariculture and ecotourism. (30)
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