PASAY CITY, (PIA) — Good news! The Philippines will have its very first pharmaceutical ecozone.
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Wednesday to establish a pharma-zone, which will serve as one-stop shops to make the drug application process more accessible and efficient.
Pharma-zones shall also become home to companies engaged in all aspects of medical and drug manufacturing-related activities, most especially in research and development (R&D), clinical testing and trials, thereby encouraging the local production of medicines, lowering their prices, and making them more accessible to Filipinos, in line with the call of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
During the MOA signing held at the PEZA Auditorium in Pasay City, PEZA Deputy Director-General for Policy and Planning Anidelle Joy Alguso welcomed the partnership with the FDA and the Local Government of Victoria, Tarlac.
Alguso said that the whole-of-government approach paves the way in making the Philippines a pharmaceutical hub in Southeast Asia.
Likewise, Victoria, Tarlac Representative Christian Yap, expressed his full support to the project. Rep. Yap said this endeavor will help empower the people, create more job opportunities, and improve the country’s economy.
In a video message, Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the MOA signing is a testament to providing accessible and affordable medicines to all Filipinos.
Pascual said that this endeavor is in line with the vision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision to provide better health and improve the well-being of Filipinos.
He added that the ease of doing business can boost the pharmaceutical and medical sectors in the country.
Health Undersecretary Dr. Elmer Punzalan also said that the signing of MOA is aligned with DOH’s 8-Point Agenda – self-sufficiency through local production of medicines.
Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, Secretary Frederick Go acknowledged the importance of this undertaking as the first pharma zone in the country, specifically towards ease of doing business, and lowering the costs of medicines and medical devices for Filipinos.
FDA Director General Dr. Samuel Zacate shared that this momentous occasion is in line with the vision of Pres. Marcos, Jr. in providing quality, accessible, and cheaper medicines for Filipinos. He said that Filipinos deserve better health care.
For his part, PEZA Director General Tereso Panga recognized this significant milestone for pharma-related investment, making a vibrant pharmaceutical sector that would lower the price of medicine.
Panga noted PEZA’s solid commitment to bringing responsive, affordable, and accessible healthcare, as well as improving the pharmaceutical sector in the country.
It can be recalled that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed Proclamation No. 623 last July 4, 2024, designating a 29.77-hectare property in Barangay Baculong, Victoria in Tarlac as a special economic zone.
Aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, the establishment of pharma zones heeds the call of the President to streamline the drug application process, making it more accessible and efficient for stakeholders, encouraging more local producers to boost their R&D and manufacturing capabilities and ultimately lower drug costs for the general public.
These zones are expected to significantly boost the Philippines’ pharmaceutical industry by attracting substantial investments, advancing technological capabilities, and increasing local production and research. (JEG/PIA-NCR)
