Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc., (ACR) a member of the Alcantara Group, proposed to establish a new 50-hectare agro-industrial economic zone within its 1,000-hectare pineapple and banana plantation in Barangay Apopong, General Santos City, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said Friday.
PEZA said ACR would use the 50-hectare zone as a hub for processing and exporting fresh pineapples and bananas, leveraging its position as the country’s 4th largest pineapple producer.
ACR is the fourth largest producer of fresh pineapples in the country. However, in terms of yield per hectare, they are the second most productive pineapple grower, with an output of 6,000 boxes of quality pineapples per hectare.
The company is also set to expand its Kamanga Agro-Industrial Ecozone (KAIEZ) in Maasin, Saranggani province by an additional 32.8 hectares to accommodate big-ticket projects. The expansion is awaiting presidential approval.
PEZA director-general Tereso Panga expressed support for Alsons Group’s initiatives, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to promoting economic zones in rural areas.
He cited the success of existing ecozones in propelling LGUs to become among the richest in the Philippines.
KAIEZ leverages its unique advantage with its own embedded power and water distribution system, sewage treatment plant and dedicated jetty terminal.
Existing locators include the P10.5-billion Panhua Integrated Steel, Inc. (PISI) and the P27.5 billion Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC).
PISI is registered with PEZA as an export enterprise engaged in the production of various steel materials and billets for cold-rolling, automobiles, and construction while SEC is a utilities enterprise engaged in the development, operation, and maintenance of a 210-megawatt coal-fired power plant inside KAIEZ.
PEZA acknowledges ACR as a driver of business and industries, playing a key role in fueling the development, particularly of Mindanao, through its strategic investments in industrial parks and real estate development, agri/aqua business, power generation, and mining.
Panga said PEZA understands the importance of collaboration with investor-friendly LGUs like Maasim. This cooperation ensures a streamlined regulatory process and fosters a more attractive investment environment.
Panga said nine out of the 10 richest LGUs in the list are all hosting ecozones, citing a PSA report on the 10 richest areas in the country outside Metro Manila and Cebu City.
“As we embark on this journey of eco-zoning the Philippines towards inclusive and sustainable development, PEZA shall continue to support countryside development through the creation of more economic zones in rural and new growth areas, continuously positioning the country as an attractive investment destination characterized by agility and responsiveness to the needs and demands of our dynamic investors,” he said.