The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) will submit this week the list of information technology (IT) ecozones that could be reconsidered for approval following the easing of the moratorium on the establishment of Metro Manila-based IT zones.
On November 24, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed Administrative Order (AO) No. 11, amending AO No. 18 by allowing the processing and evaluation of applications for the establishment of special economic zones in the National Capital Region.
The new policy specifically amends the provisions of Sections 2 and 3 of AO No. 18 series of 2019, granting a second chance for applicants for economic zones within Metro Manila.
Tereso Panga, PEZA director-general, said the new policy will enhance the agency’s investments promotions as this will allow for the establishment of new IT centers and locations for new and expanding IT investors in Metro Manila.
Panga said this will also give other local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila outside of the five major central business districts – Makati, Taguig, Ortigas, Quezon City and Alabang – a chance to host IT investments and to be part of the PEZA ecozone value chain.
”In all these, PEZA can be more effective in generating investments, jobs, exports to further boost the IT-business process management industry as well as increased revenues for the host LGUs and other economic opportunities for the country,” Panga said in a text message.
Panga said PEZA is finalizing the list of the applications for IT zones but all these investments were approved by the Board prior to AO 18.
“We have yet to account for the locator investments , which will be contingent on the actual no. of pre-qualified IT center developers that will push through with the proclamation process. We intend to implement a limited window period within which the developers will be required to submit all compliance documents to facilitate Office of the President’s (OP) issuance of presidential proclamation for their zones,” he added.
PEZA has to submit to the OP within 10 days from the effectivity of the order, a Board Resolution certifying the Masterlist of covered applications.
Under the order, only applications that hadobtained “Pre-Qualification Clearances” from PEZA Board pursuant prior to the moratorium’s effectivity under AO No. 18 shall be allowed to resubmit their application with certain conditions.
“Only those included in the Masterlist shall have the option to resubmit their applications for ecozones, provided that they undergo anew the pre-qualification process of the PEZA…
For this purpose, all required national or local licenses, clearances, permits, certifications or authorizations that have already expired shall have to be renewed in accordance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations,” the AO said,
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 No. 18 shall also remain in effect, including the moratorium on the processing of applications for the establishment of economic zones in Metro Manila. Irma Isip
