Orani, Bataan—Former Bataan first district congressman Tong Payumo, who authored the creation of the Hermosa Economic Zone, lauded the area for currently providing jobs to about 14,000 workers from the province and nearby areas.
“Ang daming nabigyan ng trabaho sa mga taga-Bataan, hindi lang sa first district, mayroon ding mga taga Pilar, Orion dyan at iba pang bayan sa second district,” he narrated to newsmen who visited him in Sinagtala Resort, Brgy. Tala, this town.
“Pati nga mga taga karatig-probinsya natin nakakapagtrabaho dyan,” he shared.
Also a former chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Payumo said the employment inside the ecozone also triggered economic activities in the area.
“Nagsulputan kung ano-anong negosyo dyan sa Barangay Palihan malapit sa ecozone, nandyan na nga palengke, may mga paupahan na dyan, may Jollibee na, 7 Eleven, at marami pa. Parang ang Palihan na nga ang sentro ng Hermosa,” he said.
The former Bataan lawmaker also recalled how he came up with the current area of Hermosa Economic Zone.
“Kinumbinsi natin si Leony De Jesus at Central Textile Mills Incorporated na i-share na nila yung mga lupa nila sa ecozone at napapayag naman natin sila,” he said.
Payumo also authored the Philippine Economic Zone Authority Act when he was in Congress.
“Billions of pesos in export earnings went to the Philippine coffers and a million jobs for Filipinos were created,” he said.
