The Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) is a government agency attached to the Office of the President of the Philippines that operates and manages the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) in Mariveles, Bataan, Philippines.
The FAB was originally designed as an Export Processing Zone, then known as the Bataan Export Processing Zone. By virtue of Republic Act 9728, the BEPZ was converted into the FAB in 2009. Its existing infrastructures include 18 Standard Factory Buildings (SFB), the first eleven with three stories each, and the seven newer buildings being warehouse-type buildings. It is currently home to 95 operational FAB Registered Enterprises as of February 2024. These enterprises manufacture products for export ranging from tennis balls, yachts, outdoor and camping equipment, luxury bags, and other related items. These enterprises employ a total of 39,068 workers as of February 2024.
The mandate of the AFAB is to efficiently and effectively manage the FAB, leading to an increase in investments and employment in the locality. To accomplish these objectives, the AFAB endeavors to attract a greater number of locators in various sectors, including manufacturing, business process outsourcing (BPO), and emerging industries such as financial technology and blockchain, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and green industries, among others. Since its inception, the AFAB has been able to spur development within the FAB, leading to a 143.59% increase in registered enterprises from only 39 in 2010 and a 205.77% increase in the number of FAB workers from 12,777 in 2010.
To further spread the development and opportunities to the rest of the province of Bataan, FAB Expansion Areas (FEA) can now be declared anywhere in Bataan, given the concurrence of the local government unit concerned. As of the end of February 2024, the AFAB has registered 17 expansion areas located in one city and eight municipalities of Bataan.
About the Administrator and CEO Mohammed Hussein Pangandaman`
Administrator & CEO Mohammed Hussein Pangandaman is the 3rd Administrator & CEO of the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) tasked with promoting economic growth through the establishment of a world-class Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB).
Appointed by President Ferdinand “Bong-Bong” R. Marcos Jr. on April 28, 2023, Administrator & CEO Pangandaman’s assumption of office started strong in the arena of establishing deeper ties with all of the agency’s stakeholders and swiftly moved forward into opening new doors of opportunity, welcoming technology-based enterprises, leading to expanding the FAB to become a blockchain and fintech hub.
A seasoned politician who has served as the Representative of the 1st District of Lanao del Sur prior to his appointment, the Administrator & CEO is armed with extensive political experience, coupled with an outstanding track record of leadership demonstrated during his term as Lanao del Sur’s Spokesperson. He actively advocated for the welfare of his constituents and authored several bills that effectively addressed concerns affecting his district.
Driving the FAB towards becoming a next-level economic zone, Administrator & CEO Pangandaman consistently exudes vigor in striking the ideal balance between managing the FAB’s unstoppable economic growth and delivering quality public service to the community he ultimately serves.
