JV Ejercito backs the creation of the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone and Freeport
March 04, 2024
Senator JV Ejercito on Monday expressed full
support for the creation of the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone and Freeport,
citing its potential to significantly enhance economic growth in the region.
According to Ejercito, Senate Bill No. 2572 or
the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone and Freeport Act aims to
stimulate growth and provide job opportunities not only in Bulacan but also
across Central Luzon.
“The province will now not only be a gateway
to the north. It will be a point of first contact for the millions of
passengers and goods which will enter the country,” Ejercito said.
“It is this change in policy and mindset which
drove this representation to support the Public-Private Partnership Act. And it
is for this same reason that we fully support the proposed Bulacan Ecozone,” he
emphasized.
Ejercito is the principal sponsor and author
of Republic Act No. 11966, also known as the Public-Private Partnership Code of
the Philippines, which was signed into law in December of last year.
The lawmaker from San Juan explained that the
proposed bill will further maximize the potential of the Bulacan Airport as
“the flow of goods and services are smooth and unimpeded by traffic.”
He cited successful places like the retail
markets near Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C., the booming logistics centers
near Hong Kong International Airport, and Incheon Airport in Seoul.
“Iilan lamang ito sa mga halimbawa ng “Airport
Cities,” which are metropolitan subregions centered on an airport. In these
areas, businesses cluster around an airport due to efficiency gains.”
“Businessmen can fly in and out with ease.
That’s why Fortune 500 companies tend to locate their headquarters near an
airport.”
Ejercito noted that this bill “comes at an
auspicious time” for the airline industry as tourist arrivals are now catching
up to pre-pandemic levels.
He also expressed gratitude to Senator Grace
Poe, the principal sponsor of the proposed measure, for her leadership in the
Senate Committee on Economic Affairs and for her efforts in advancing this bill
through the legislative process.