Thousands of new jobs for Filipinos are expected to be generated following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s approval of new and expanded Special Economic Zones (ecozones) in Batangas and Iloilo, Malacañang announced.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on Wednesday said the move supports the Marcos administration’s strategy to spread investments beyond Metro Manila and promote inclusive regional growth.

“The new ecozones reinforce the Marcos Jr. administration’s push to disperse investments beyond Metro Manila, bringing economic opportunities closer to Filipinos,” Recto said.

“Ibig sabihin, mas maraming trabaho ang naghihintay sa Batangas, Iloilo, at mga kalapit na lugar. Mas lalakas ang ekonomiya sa mga probinsya, at tuloy-tuloy ang pag-angat ng kabuhayan ng ating mga pamilya,” he added.

Under Proclamation No. 1127, several parcels of land in Barangays Pagaspas and Trapiche in Tanauan City, Batangas, were declared part of the expanded First Industrial Township–Special Economic Zone (FIT-SEZ).

The FIT-SEZ currently hosts 14 Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)-registered enterprises employing 1,634 workers. With the expansion, the ecozone is expected to attract additional manufacturing firms, generate about P 1.5 billion in new investments, and create 1,850 new jobs.

Meanwhile, Proclamation No. 1128 establishes a new Information Technology Park Special Economic Zone in Iloilo City. The ecozone, to be known as Atria Gardens IT Park, covers several parcels of land along Donato Pison Avenue in Barangay San Rafael, Mandurriao District.

The IT park is projected to attract P550 million in investments and create 2,200 jobs, further boosting Iloilo’s emergence as a regional hub for information technology and business process services.

The proclamations were signed by Recto on 6 January 2026, following recommendations from the PEZA Board of Directors.

Special Economic Zones are designated areas that grant qualified businesses fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, depending on their location and priority industry. These zones include industrial estates, export processing zones, IT parks, and tourism and recreational economic zones.

The newly proclaimed ecozones will operate in accordance with Republic Act No. 7916, or the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995, as amended by Republic Act No. 8748, its implementing rules and regulations, and relevant PEZA board resolutions.