The planned Palawan Mega Ecozone project is set to rise following the recent approval by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

This was revealed by Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. on Wednesday as he expressed gratitude to the PEZA Board of Directors for greenlighting the project, which will pave the way for the creation of the country’s first mega eco-industrial zone.

Catapang said this marks a significant milestone in the country’s developmental landscape, particularly under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and with the guidance of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.

The initiative represents a collaborative effort between PEZA and BuCor to repurpose underutilized land within the Iwahig Penal Colony into vibrant, eco-friendly industrial estates.

Spanning an impressive 28,000 hectares, the first phase of the project has already begun with the transfer of 4,000 hectares for immediate development.

Catapang said the successful implementation of the Palawan Mega Ecozone could serve as a model for integrating sustainable practices into industrial frameworks while fostering economic resilience in the region.

He added that the ecozone will also drive the transformation of the entire Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF)—one of the world’s largest open-air correctional facilities — into a zone that balances economic development, sustainability, and modern correctional reform.

The proposed modernization and redevelopment of IPPF, according to Catapang, will introduce world-class infrastructure, commercial hubs, mixed-use districts, institutional zones, eco-tourism, and agro-industrial projects.

Catapang added that the initiative will unlock massive economic opportunities while ensuring socio-environmental responsibility, making it a prime investment destination.

“With a strategic location, abundant land, and strong government backing, the project will redefine urban planning, green energy solutions, and economic zones, setting a new benchmark for sustainable development in the country,” Catapang said.