Rep. Garcia wants to expand powers of SBMA, CDC

BATAAN Rep. Albert Garcia has asked Congress to speed up the passing of a bill that will strengthen and expand the powers of the governing bodies of Subic and Clark to allow the development of more economic zones, thereby ensuring both local and national economic growth.

Garcia of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD said that to fully utilize Subic, Clark and Manila as international service and logistics centers in the Asia-Pacific region, House Bill 6779, or the Luzon Global Corridor Act, must be enacted, strengthening and expanding the powers of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Clark Development Corp. (CDC).

Garcia said the objective of the bill, which he authored, is to develop other special economic zones in Luzon to optimize the three airports in Subic, Clark and Manila and two seaports in Subic and Manila, and one connecting highway and railway in Luzon.

He said the development of special economic zones in municipalities nearby, bordering the highway and railway and connected to the airports and seaports in Subic, Clark and Manila, must be encouraged to bring jobs to people, and promote a higher standard of living and an improved quality of life for all.

“The state must be aggressive in taking advantage of the strategic infrastructure in Subic, Clark and Manila as international transportation hubs. The development of special economic zones will embody a decentralized local government and private sector-led development that will display the potential that can be achieved when local people set their own priorities and initiatives,” said Garcia.

Garcia said overcrowded areas would be decongested as industries will be dispersed to other locations in Luzon because of the global accessibility and direct access of Subic, Clark and Manila to domestic and foreign markets worldwide by air, land and sea.

The bill also aims to promote entrepreneurship and investments, create job and business opportunities, and encourage the local government units (LGUs) and the private sector to establish special economic zones.

Also, it seeks to develop enterprise initiative and foster national and local pride in the LGUs and the private sector as collective stakeholders and pioneers for change in the development of the Subic Special Economic and Free-port Zone, the Clark Special Economic Zone and other special economic zones by adhering to the principles of global competitiveness that makes fast, friendly, flexible and forward-looking business.

As embodied in the bill, the Subic Special Economic and Free-port Zone consists of Olongapo City, Subic, the province of Zambales, the lands occupied by the Subic Naval Base and its contiguous extensions as embraced, covered and defined by the 1947 Military Bases Agreement (MBA) between the Philippines and the United States, as amended, and within the territorial jurisdiction of Morong and Hermosa in Bataan.

The SBMA shall develop, administer and manage the Subic Special Economic and Free-port Zone, ensuring the free flow of goods and capital based on prescribed rules and regulations, generate employment opportunities in and around the zone, and attract and promote productive local and foreign investments.

Meanwhile, CDC shall manage, operate and administer the Clark Special Economic Zone, which consists of the Clark military reservations, and its contiguous extensions as embraced, covered and defined by the 1974 MBA located within the territorial jurisdiction of Angeles City, Mabalacat and Porac and the province of Pampanga, and the municipality of Capas, Tarlac.

The SBMA and CDC shall also have the power to develop other special economic zones in Luzon within the same legal framework and mechanisms as Republic Act 7916, or the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995, and manage and operate these zones and other development programs and projects based on the bill.

He foresees that Bataan’s extraordinary feature of having two free ports would soon catapult the province into a top position in the country in terms of economic progress and job generation.

Garcia’s bill seeking the conversion of the Bataan Economic Zone in Mariveles town into the Bataan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (BSEZFP) already passed in the Lower House and the Senate and is waiting for signing by President Arroyo.

When signed into law, P2-billion funds from the national coffers will be poured to erect facilities, improve road networks and adjust organizational structure at the BSEZFP.

Garcia disclosed that about 70 percent of the total area of the Subic free port belongs to Bataan province. Hermosa and Morong towns have land territories integrated to the Subic free port.

About 100,000 Bataan residents are either employed or indirectly economically benefiting in the operation of the Subic free port.

Garcia said with a free port status, the proposed BSEZFP in Mariveles will be ready for foreign trading and is set to become an international logistic hub.