Economic zones operator Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) to turn the Iwahig Penal Colony in Palawan into a mega ecozone.

On 24 January, PEZA director general Tereso Panga and BuCor director general Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. officially sealed the agreement, allocating an initial area of more than 2,000 hectares of the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, to be developed as the Palawan Mega Economic Zone (PMEZ).

“We are proud to share that we have now entered the next important step for our ecozone development in Palawan. We look forward to beginning the masterplan and immediately start the development which will create more employment opportunities for Filipinos, most especially persons deprived of liberty (PDLs),” expressed the PEZA chief, highlighting its recent partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to further strengthen the labor force.

For his part, Catapang said he envisions the mega ecozone to become “clean, green, and technology-driven” aligning with PEZA’s eco-industrial framework through smart mixed-used townships.

He likewise shared his push to include Palawan in the Luzon Economic Corridor, which is seen to become the manufacturing hub of the country.

“Palawan is the new frontier, and we want to generate income for social development and food security,” added the BuCor chief as among the visions for the Palawan Mega Ecozone.

Magnet for high-value capital

Panga disclosed that in the coming years, the ecozone will become instrumental in attracting emerging and high-value industries like electric vehicle production, advanced manufacturing, green ores processing, nanotech, knowledge-based and AI-driven industries, medical-related industries and blue industries, among others.

“The impact of this project will be felt all across the region to include an immediate heightened trade within the context of the BIMP-EAGA international framework,” he added.

‘Palawan is the new frontier, and we want to generate income for social development and food security.’

“Employing a whole-of-government approach, we are a step closer to achieving our goal of eco-zoning the country towards inclusive and sustainable development para sa Bagong Pilipinas,” stated Panga.

In response, Catapang said, “You can set the floor for this cooperative project as it is PEZA’s expertise.”

In January 2024, PEZA and BuCor entered into a memorandum of understanding for the project, as they eyed.

PEZA and BuCor eye that the Palawan Mega Ecozone will be proclaimed within the year and be operational before the term of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ends in 2028.