Senate OKs Bulacan Special Economic Zone and Freeport bill

MANILA, Philippines—A bill promoting the establishment of the Bulacan Special Economic Zone and Freeport hurdled the Senate’s third and final reading on Monday.

Senate Bill No. 2572, under Committee Report No. 209, garnered 22 affirmatives, zero negative votes, and zero abstentions during the Senate’s plenary session.

Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate panel on public services and sponsor of the measure, said she hopes the establishment of an ecozone will attract more investments and create more jobs in Bulacan.

“Just as this morning, I witnessed the signing of the NAIA [Public-Private Partnership] project and it brought about a lot of hope because I feel now the gateway for many of our visitors to our country will be much improved,” said Poe in her speech following the chamber’s approval of SBN 2572.

“The same way, I have high hopes for this ecozone that it will spur investment, create more jobs and will actually be a model, not just here in the Philippines, but all over Asia, that would hopefully increase our Gross Domestic Product,” she added.

According to Poe, the passage of the measure means that Bulakenyos, as well as the rest of the country, can now “expect a world-class economic zone” that the Philippines “can truly be proud of.”