The municipality of Maco is now ready for the establishment of the first-ever economic zone to be located in the province of Compostela Valley.

Maco Mayor Dr. Alvera Veronica Rimando announced during the organizational meeting of the Maco Chamber of Commerce on May 30that the town is definitely pushing for the establishment of the ecozone to be located in the vast property of the Allied Bank.

The area is positioned to be an economic hub because of its strategic location and existing facilities that are well-fitted for light to heavy industries.

The 40-hectare tract of land located in the old Aguinaldo Development Corporation (ADECOR) compound in Poblacion, Maco is being eyed to become an industrial park as it is adjacent to the existing deep-water port as well as the 100-MW power barge of Therma Marine, Inc. The deep-water port also means that the area can also be a maritime transshipment hub in the region.

The local government of Maco, led by its mayor, joined recently in the Investment Exposure to study the operation of economic zones in Cebu, which the provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) facilitated. The Maco mayor and the other local chief executives (LCEs) from Comval were convinced that the establishment of ecozones is the key strategy to spur economic development in their respective municipalities.

DTI-ComVal provincial director Lucky Siegfred M. Balleque said the economic zone in Maco has long been a dream not only for the municipality, but also for the entire province.

“The group of business-tycoon Lucio Tan, which owns the property, has been longing to develop the area. However, the problem of illegal settlers prevented the plan. Fortunately, a collaborative effort between private companies and LGU-Maco should finally resolve the issue,” Balleque said.

This year, the relocation plan for the illegal occupants in the area will finally push through with the grant of P11 million from the Tan Yan Kee Foundation through Allied Bank to procure the relocation site of 11 hectares in Barangay Binuangan, Maco.
Apex Mining Corporation also donated P3.5 million to the effort as LGU-Maco facilitated the establishment of a socialized housing project with the National Housing Authority (NHA) to relocate 1,000 families.

A ceremonial turn-over of the check for the purchase of land for the relocation site will be made on June 17, in time for the 50th founding anniversary of Maco.