Cagayan Freeport—Secretary Raul Lambino, administrator and CEO of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, expressed confidence that the various infrastructure projects being constructed at the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport would be ready for inauguration in September, auguring a new era of modern business facilities here.
Lambino, who is also the Presidential Adviser for Northern Luzon, said the three-story commercial building and another three-story corporate center, both equipped with internet connectivity, would be used by companies engaged in the cutting-edge, digital-based financial technology solutions and other enterprises to include supermarkets, banks, and outlets of various products.
He inspected the infrastructure projects recently in Sta. Ana, Cagayan to coincide with the blessing of the different vehicles and equipment procured by CEZA to augment the agency’s services and operability in the Freeport. They include new dump trucks, an ambulance, a fire truck, a low-bed transport truck, and several pick-up trucks.
“CEZA is on full steam building new infrastructure and modernizing our port facilities to accommodate larger vessels in the near future,” said Lambino.
He also inspected the ongoing retrofitting works at the 49-year-old Port Irene and the newly completed road and bridge section of the port to provide a turnaround route for cargo trucks.
Lambino also inspected CEZA’s new warehouses that are almost completed. They boast of 16,920 square meters of space and office units to bolster the freeport’s capability to accommodate more goods for import and export.
These are expected to substantially increase once the proposed dredging of the navigational canal and berthing areas of Port Irene are implemented.
CEZA, he said, has also just completed the construction of a new wharf in Port San Vicente to allow inter-island ships to dock at the deep-water port facing the marvelous Palaui Island, which serves as a natural breakwater. The causeway of the traditional Roro port is also being upgraded.
Lambino said CEZA’s efforts to build new business facilities are being complimented by its locators, among them the First Cagayan Leisure and Resorts Corporation, which is joining forces with Hong Kong-based Foremost Cagayan Development and Leisure Corp.
Both companies, engaged in real estate development, entertainment, and gaming, are currently preparing for the construction of a new international airport in the zone, and smart cities that will house high-rise hotels, duty-free shops, retirement villages and other tourism-oriented entertainment facilities.
Lambino also inspected the 21-hectare Alpha Palawig complex, now hosting six new four-storey condominium and BPO units.
CEZA’s other infrastructure projects include a golf course and a sanitary land fill complex to service the growing needs of the fast-developing special economic zone and freeport.