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JV Ejercito optimistic about economic boost with new Bulacan Airport City Ecozone and Freeport Area bill

January 31, 2024

Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito lauded the proposed legislations on Bulacan Airport City Ecozone and Freeport Area as “exciting and game-changing,” as it would generate an economic boom.

Currently, the Bulacan Ecozone bill has three versions filed in the Senate by Senate President Miguel Zubiri, Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, and Senator Imee Marcos.

“It will maximize the planned Bulacan International Airport and generate an economic boom,” Ejercito said during a hearing held by the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday, Jan. 31.

The lawmaker from San Juan emphasized that airports are not just transportation hubs but bustling centers of economic activity. He compared them to successful places like the retail markets near Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C., or the booming logistics centers near Hong Kong International Airport and Incheon Airport in Seoul.

As an advocate for infrastructure development, Ejercito believes these bills will also reduce congestion in Metro Manila, create opportunities in rural areas, and stimulate economic development not only in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao but also in Central Luzon, Northern Luzon, and other regions.

“Sa halip na po na tayo ay nabibinbin sa problema in a divisive activity like Charter change, ito ‘yung mga dapat nating pinagtutuunan ng pansin.”

On July 2, 2022, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. vetoed the proposed Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone and Freeport Act. In his message of veto, the President highlighted that certain provisions of the bill present fiscal risks to the country and contradict the mandates and authorities of other agencies.

Recognizing the contentious provisions, Ejercito hopes to address these issues this time and has expressed full support for the passage of the bill.

Ejercito also expressed gratitude to San Miguel Corporation for their contributions to the Philippine government through public-private partnership projects.

“This is the energy of the private sector which we need to engage and not strangle with regulation. Maging San Miguel man, o maliit na negosyo, let’s roll out the red carpet and slash the red tape.“

In December, President Marcos enacted the PPP Code, a law principally sponsored and authored by Ejercito. This Code aims to speed up vital infrastructure projects, improve the ease of doing business, and create more job opportunities for Filipinos. 

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