ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – The Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority (ZAMBOECOZONE) drives economic development and environmental sustainability in Zamboanga City and the Zamboanga Peninsula by attracting more investors and generating employment.
ZAMBOECOZONE Chairperson Raul Regondola recently highlighted the authority’s focus on upcoming developments within the zone during an appearance on “Kapihan na Zamboanga.”
These developments aim to generate employment opportunities for Zamboangueños, fulfilling ZAMBOECOZONE’s mandate under Republic Act 7903 of 1995.
The authority actively courts investors and identifies industries and businesses with high job creation potential. Prioritized sectors include agro-industrial and agri-tourism, the Halal industry, and corporate investments such as Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), among many others.
While the COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges to development, particularly in attracting foreign investment, ZAMBOECOZONE adapted by focusing on domestic enterprises interested in investing within the zone.
ZAMBOECOZONE recognizes the importance of balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.
Chairperson Regondola emphasized their commitment to environmental preservation, particularly protecting the forested highlands, a crucial prime water source for Zamboanga City.
To this end, the authority has established an environmental management unit to oversee all environment-related activities within the zone and prevent activities like “kaingin” (slash-and-burn farming).
They also work closely with government agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to safeguard ancestral domains and promote joint management with Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in the area.
A key initiative in this regard is the establishment of joint management agreements with local IP communities. One example is a planned partnership to attract investors for bamboo production, which would create employment opportunities for IP communities, aligning with ZAMBOECOZONE’s goals.
“We want to enable our IPs because how can we improve their lives if we don’t help them? We are the government, and it is our mandate to help,” Regondola stated.
Chairman Regondola envisions greater recognition for ZAMBOECOZONE and invites the public and investors to witness its continued progress, anticipating further development and increased productivity. “I want to see our ECOZONE from where it is now – moving up into a more recognized ECOZONE,” he shared. (EDT/JFT/PIA9-ZAMSULTA)
