HERMOSA, Bataan—Mayor Jopet Inton is eyeing some 300 hectares of the upland villages of Mabuco and Tipo to be converted into another industrial zone.
The proposed new Hermosa Economic Zone, located near the huge complex of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, is still under negotiation with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.
“We are still in the process of completing numerous feasible business requirements, like the site development scheme for infrastructure, power and water supply, communication, buildings and other necessary structures in facilitating transport of raw materials and finished products to intended markets,” Inton said.
Hermosa has an existing economic zone located in Barangay Palihan, with two Japanese and Taiwanese manufacturing firms producing car parts for exports and employing more than 10,000 factory workers.
The mayor said other locators from Middle East countries are projected to invest greatly in this fast-emerging zone in Hermosa to take advantage of the improving economy of Asean markets, with the Philippines as the regional agricultural and industrial hub.
The Middle Eastern investors are reportedly inclined to build a facility for processing and export of halal poultry products and agriculturally-produced organic vegetable and fruit crops for export to Arabian countries.
Inton expects the significant growth in business investments would make Hermosa an agro-industrial production hub.
He boasted of the favorable geographical location of his town as the principal gateway to the country’s largest economic zone, SBMA, and Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan, the fast-growing investment hub in Central Luzon. He also touted the availability of professional and technical manpower, stable power and communication facilities, and existing peace and order in the area.