The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) is inviting investors to develop a P4.7-billion world-class seaport in Casiguran, Aurora.
It said the flagship project is integral to transforming the ecozone into a strategic transshipment hub along the Pacific seaboard.
APECO president and chief executive Gil Taway IV said the seaport would give exporters shorter shipping routes to Asia-Pacific markets such as Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, the United States and Oceania, while helping decongest the heavily utilized western seaboard ports and road networks.
“You can build infrastructure anywhere, but you cannot move geography. APECO’s location is our greatest strength,” Taway said in a presentation at the Arangkada 2025, highlighting the resilience of the Casiguran Cove’s natural harbor being sheltered by the Sierra Madre mountain range and the San Ildefonso Peninsula.
Alongside the seaport, APECO is also pursuing the expansion of its airport facilities to strengthen connectivity, particularly the existing 1.3-kilometer airstrip, which recently accommodated chartered flights.
A permit to operate from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is expected before year-end, paving the way for full commercial operations.
Over the long term, APECO envisions an international airport capable of handling Airbus A320s, supported by a 12-hectare land acquisition to expand its facilities.
Taway also underscored the ecozone’s potential for defense manufacturing, citing its relative isolation and security as ideal for sensitive industries such as ordnance production, logistics systems and advanced defense equipment.
APECO is opening its doors to clean energy projects, including solar, wind, tidal, biomass and even small modular reactors, ventures envisioned to power industries inside the ecozone while contributing to the national grid.
Tourism development is another major focus, as APECO considers positioning itself as a site for lifestyle, business and creative tourism projects, ranging from retirement and wellness clusters to sports facilities capable of hosting international competitions and training programs, and creative hubs that can attract film and audiovisual production companies.
“These investments will harness APECO’s unique geography, long tax incentive periods under CREATE MORE, and strong growth potential for industries looking to reach global markets faster and more efficiently,” Taway said.
