THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) marked a key milestone in its push for regional development with the formal proclamation of the Tagbilaran Uptown IT Hub 2 as an information technology park in Bohol, reinforcing the growing role of countryside ecozones in driving investment and job creation.
The newly designated IT park covers over 11,200 square meters in Barangay Dampas, Tagbilaran City, and is projected to attract over P200 million in investments. A prospective locator has signaled plans to infuse P70 million and employ more than 500 local workers, building on the success of the initial Tagbilaran Uptown IT Hub, which helped catalyze economic activity in the city.
The move is part of Peza’s broader strategy to expand economic zones outside Metro Manila, seen as vital to delivering inclusive and sustainable growth. For the first half of 2025, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved four ecozones: two expansions in Batangas and two new IT parks in Bacolod and Tagbilaran.
In Batangas, the Lima Technology Center (LTC), operated by Aboitiz InfraCapital, is undergoing two major expansions. Proclamation 910, issued in May, added 23.49 hectares to the existing LTC in Malvar, Batangas. Another 19.23 hectares were earlier added through Proclamation 846. Combined, the expansions are backed by a planned investment of over P980 million, with completion expected by mid-2027.
Meanwhile, in Bacolod City, Megaworld’s The Upper East development was designated as an IT park under Proclamation 919. Spanning nearly 34 hectares, the site is expected to draw over P1 billion in investment and host five business process management firms, generating more than 2,500 jobs.
Since President Marcos Jr. took office, 32 ecozones have been proclaimed nationwide, with P13.4 billion in committed investments. Peza is also working to establish two new flagship projects: the Palawan Mega Ecozone and the Pantao Ecozone in Albay, both targeted for proclamation under the current administration. / KOC