TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) Secretary Raul Lambino is eyeing for the transfer of CEZA’s national headquarters from Pasig City to Clark in Pampanga province.
Lambino, who assumed office in July, said the transfer would be “cost-efficient” and “would give CEZA a front-view seat along with Subic and Clark for potential investors looking for business opportunities in the country’s special economic zones.”
“In short, we would be able to bring CEZA right into theccenter of government’s trade and investment-promotion efforts,”Lambino said, adding that the move will increase CEZA’s visibility, something “we need to establish urgently.
The plan, according to him, is still subject for further study and consultation.
Lambino is mulling such a transfer after the Department of Transportation moved to the Cyber City hub at the Clark Freeport Zone in Clark, Pampanga in July to take the lead in “decongesting Metro Manila.”
“[Dotr’s transfer] signals the start of a consolidation of national government offices in Clark and help ease the traffic problem in Metro Manila,” Lambino said.
Since 1997, CEZA has been tasked to supervise and manage the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport. Its
development plan includes a seaport, airport, resort development and creation of an industrial zone while sustaining environment protection for the area.
After taking over as CEZA Administration late last month, Lambino bared plans to promote the special economic zone to investors, both local and international, to “put the development plan into high gear.” Northernforum.net
