House adopts Senate version of Bulacan Economic Zone and Freeport bill
Map of Bulacan
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has adopted the Senate version of House Bill (HB) No. 8841, or the proposed Bulacan Special Economic Zone and Freeport Act. This means the Senate proposal will be submitted to Malacañang for the President’s signature.
During Wednesday’s session, Deputy Majority Leader and Pangasinan 6th District Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas moved to adopt the Senate bill.
READ: Senate passes bill creating Bulacan ecozone
“Mr. Speaker, the House and Senate have approved on third reading House Bill No. 8841 and Senate Bill No. 2572, respectively, on establishing the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone and Freeport in the province of Bulacan,” Agabas said.
“We have been informed that the committee on economic affairs and the committee on trade and industry, sponsors of House Bill No. 8841 as well as the authors thereof are in concurrence with the provisions of Senate Bill No. 2572. With this information, and in accordance with our rules, I move to adopt Senate Bill No. 2572 as an amendment to House Bill No. 8841, so moved Mr. Speaker,” she added.
Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito Mendoza approved the motion after no one objected.
The bill seeking to create the Bulacan Airport City ecozone was originally filed in the 18th Congress when ex-president Rodrigo Duterte was still in power, but it was not signed by the former leader. When it arrived at President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s desk, he vetoed it due to the provisions containing “substantial fiscal risks to the country.”
READ: Bongbong Marcos vetoes bill on Bulacan Airport City ecozone
Marcos explained that the tax system stated in the bill contradicts the government’s “objective of developing a tax system with low rates and a broad tax base.”
House Committee on Ways and Means chairperson Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda filed another bill in 2022 to address the issues mentioned by the president. In December 2023, the House approved the substitute bill—HB No. 8841—on third reading.
If enacted, the bill will create the Bulacan ecozone, where San Miguel Corporation’s project for a new international airport will be housed.
The airport is being constructed as part of efforts to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals in Metro Manila.
