THE Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority and Freeport (Zamboecozone) has remitted over P2 million, representing the share of the city government in the operations of Zamboecozone.
Zamboecozone Chairperson Raul Regondola handed over the check to Mayor Kkymer Olaso as the former administered the oath-taking of the latter as an ex-officio member of the Ecozone Board during the City Government flag-raising ceremony at the City Hall Grounds.
Based on Republic Act 7903, the law creating the Zamboecozone, issued on February 23, 1995, the Ecozone shall remit to the city government three percent of its gross income.
The three percent share is allocated as follows: two percent to the City of Zamboanga and one percent to the barangay special development fund, for the development and improvement of the barangays within the city.
The law also stipulates that the mayor, along with the congressional representatives and the representative of the City Council, shall serve as ex-officio voting members of the Ecozone Board.
Regondola said the Zamboecozone has made significant progress over the years, as it now boasts 147 locators and counting.
These strides include the operation of the Sea Oil depot and a shipyard, as well as the establishment of the headquarters of the Coast Guard Southwestern Mindanao District.
The Department of Public Works and Highways is also constructing a building to house its first engineering district office inside the Zamboecozone complex. The groundbreaking of the project was held recently.
“We are expanding the community inside the Zamboecozone because we want to convince locators to invest in the Ecozone,” Regondola said.
Meanwhile, he said renovation is ongoing for the Water Park Resort, a theme park for children that can also be used for team-building activities. (SunStar Zamboanga)