GOVERNOR Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) announced they are planning to establish at least seven fully operational economic zones by the year 2020.
“Our goal is to establish at least one ecozone (economic zone) in each of the Armm provinces - Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi - as well as in the cities of Marawi (Lanao del Sur) and Lamitan (Basilan) by the year 2020,” Hataman said.
He added the move is designed to attract investments, help generate local jobs, and enhance the region’s overall economic performance.
The Armm governor said they are institutionalizing the operation of the Regional Economic Zone Authority, which was created by Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act 154, as cited in Article 12 Section 4 of the Republic Act 9054.
Armm currently has only one operating economic zone, which is the Polloc Freeport and Economic Zone (PFEZ) located in Maguindanao.
The PFEZ has generated an income of P27.9 million and revenues amounting to P134 million for the Bureau of Customs as of 2016.
Hataman said his declaration of the PFEZ as “halal hub” is in support to the mission of Philippine Economic Zone Authority “to expand into new frontiers” and take advantage of the region’s “potential as a gateway of the Philippines to the multi-trillion dollar halal industry.”
He said Armm will focus on economic sectors where it has a competitive advantage and these include agro-industry, tourism, trading, halal investment, and Islamic financing.
He added they have already established a link with countries in the Middle East and in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to explore possible collaborations on economic development projects that will benefit not only Armm but the rest of the country as well. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)