Malacañang has issued an administrative order granting a second chance to applicants with "Pre-Qualification Clearances" from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority to create new economic zones in Metro Manila, in a bid to bolster employment opportunities.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed AO 11 on 24 November amending the provisions of Sections 2 and 3 of AO 18 series of 2019, by allowing the processing and evaluation of applications for the establishment of special economic zones in the National Capital Region.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte issued AO 18 issued directing PEZA to no longer accept, process or evaluate applications for the creation of Metro Manila ecozones "to promote rural development, ensure inclusive growth in the countryside, and create robust economic activity and wealth generation" in areas outside the country's metropolis.

Under the Marcos administration's new order,  applications that had already obtained "Pre-Qualification Clearances" from the PEZA Board pursuant to the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 7916 before the moratorium's effectivity of AO 18 "shall be allowed to resubmit their application with certain conditions."

It also stated that within a non-extendible period of 10 working days from the effectivity of this Order, the PEZA shall submit to the Office of the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary, a Board Resolution certifying the masterlist of covered applications.

"For this purpose, the PEZA shall submit, along with the said Board Resolution and Masterlist, certified true copies of the pertinent Pre-Qualification Clearances issued by the PEZA Board to the developers/project proponents concerned and the minutes of the meeting when the same was approved by the Board," the AO further stated.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized that only those included in the Masterlist will have the option to resubmit their applications for ecozones, provided they undergo anew the pre-qualification process of the PEZA pursuant to the IRR of RA No. 7916. 

For this purpose, all required national or local licenses, clearances, permits, certifications or authorizations that have already expired shall have to be renewed following pertinent laws, rules and regulations.

The order also clarified that inclusion in the Masterlist or the acceptance, processing and/or evaluation of applications by PEZA and the OP does not guarantee approval or proclamation as economic zones.

Other provisions of AO 18 shall also remain in effect, including the moratorium on the processing of applications for the establishment of economic zones in Metro Manila.

In issuing the AO, Marcos Jr. said allowing the processing and evaluation of applications for ecozones in Metro Manila which secured PEZA Pre-Qualification Clearance prior to the implementation of the moratorium under AO 18 "will have a positive impact on job creation and will further strengthen Metro Manila's position as a leading information and communications technology hub in the country."