The Senate approved a significant increase to the proposed 2026 budget for the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO), effectively raising the agency’s allocation from P262.46 million, as originally recommended by the Department of Budget and Management, to P380 million.
This marks an increase of P119 million or 45 percent.
APECO expressed gratitude to the Senate for supporting the higher spending ceiling, specifically recognizing Senate committee on finance chair Sherwin Gatchalian and sub-committee vice chair Imee Marcos.
The Senate acknowledged APECO’s role in driving sustainable development, job generation and local prosperity in Dinalungan, Casiguran and Dilasag (DiCaDi), along with its recent turnaround and reform efforts since new management took over in October 2023.
The agency committed to maximizing every peso to fund programs that uplift communities and spur regional economic growth.
Key components of the 2026 budget include the Corporate Campus Development, a two-hectare green space with lagoons connected to a canal leading to Casiguran Cove; the JPEC Phase 2 project to expand retail accommodations under APECO’s MICE tourism program; and the APECO Central Expressway, a four-lane roadway that will cut travel time between the northern and southern ends of the zone and link its two industrial areas.
APECO president and chief executive Gil Taway IV cited the need for continued government investment in critical infrastructure such as road networks, airports and seaports to make northern Aurora more attractive to investors and tourists.
“These projects support APECO’s long-term vision of building a thriving economic corridor along Luzon’s eastern seaboard and delivering inclusive growth for the people of Aurora,” Taway said.
 for 2026, a 45 percent increase from the initial recommendation, to fund key infrastructure and development projects in Aurora.){kind=link}