The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is actively promoting industrial expansion projects in Mindanao to bolster economic growth in the region.
PEZA director-general Tereso Panga, in recent visit to General Santos City, engaged with key stakeholders to advance the expansion initiatives of the Panhua Group and the Alsons Group.
Panga reiterated PEZA’s commitment to developing economic zones in rural areas, highlighting the transformative effect of ecozones on local government units (LGUs) and helping them to become some of the wealthiest in the nation.
The Panhua Group, a prominent Chinese steelmaker, is progressing with its $1-billion steel manufacturing plant in Maasin, Sarangani province.
It sought assistance to expand the coverage of its lease contract following forecasts of anticipated growth once it starts operations.
Occupying 40 hectares within the Kamanga Agro-Industrial Ecozone Development Corp. (KAiEDC), the facility is slated to commence production in the fourth quarter of 2025, with an anticipated annual output of about 2 million metric tons of steel products.
The Alsons Group is also pursuing the expansion of its agro-industrial footprint in the region.
Alsons plans to develop a new 100-hectare agro-industrial economic zone for its agriculture unit.