The Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan disclosed that it was able to declare and register a total of 17 FAB Expansion Areas as of August 2022 by virtue of Republic Act 11453 otherwise known as "An Act Further Strengthening the Powers and Functions of the Freeport Area of Bataan."
AFAB administrator Emmanuel Pineda said that since its charter was amended in 2019, the Freeport was able to host and accommodate leading and emerging global industries to become more responsive to the demands of the international business market.
"As a result, we are pleased to be the catalyst and witness to the actuality that the economic gains we have achieved in Mariveles will now be replicated in other municipalities across Bataan," said Pineda in his report.
The expansion areas have a total land area of 3,083.85 hectares and the FEAs have initiated the development of their respective zones to fast-track the commencement of their operations.
Upon completion, varying industry types will be able to accommodate new enterprises coming in, as well as the expansions of the Freeport's current FREs.
Their declared economic activities include light and medium industrial, power generation, port services, agri-industrial, commercial, tourism, MICE activities, and BPO/IT in eight different municipalities and the capital city of the province.
