Mar T. Supnad
MARIVELES, Bataan – Saying it will redound to the benefit not only of the people of Bataan but also of all Filipinos, Congressman Abet S. Garcia (2nd district, Bataan) is determined to push a plan for the immediate conversion of the Bataan Economic Zone (BEZ) into what he called "Bataan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (BSEZF)."
In House Bill No. 1425 which seeks the conversion of BEZ into BSEZF, Congressman Garcia stated that there is a need for the immediate conversion of the BEZ, noting that "the development of economic zone is very slow due to several factors affecting the smooth operations in the economic zone."
He said that "roads have to be repaired and maintained, buildings have to be restored and remodeled, and other infrastructures should be constructed to be able to fit and adapt to the needs of the changing times."
The eldest son of Bataan Gov. Enrique "Tet" Garcia, the young congressman also stated in the bill’s explanatory note that "communications and telecommunications system must be developed and widened in scope."
"In addition," Garcia said, "the economic zone is facing tough competition posed by other economic zones with free ports, especially those that are located nearby."
Among the existing economic zones such as those in Cavite, Cebu, and Baguio City, the BEZ appeared to be the most neglected, he said.
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and some newsmen here had observed that prospective locators are mostly diverted to other economic zones, ignoring BEZ.
Sources said that few years ago, a top PEZA official got angry with Bataan officials because she had heard of a plan that they her to be replaced.
This reportedly made her harbor personal grudge against the BEZ.
If the bill is enacted into law, Congressman Garcia said, the benefits that may be given to the locators would include income tax holidays (ITH), accelerated depreciation, and capital-equipment incentives.
Under the proposed law, Garcia said, there will be a board of directors of the Special Economic Zone and Free Port Authority which is to be headed by a chairman who would, at the same time, sit as administrator; a vice chairman who will come from among members of the board; and the members of the board would be the governor of the Province of Bataan; the congressional representative of the district; the mayor of Mariveles; one representative each from the domestic investors, foreign investors and workers group.
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