Gov’t to develop Cagayan ecozone

The government and the private sector have committed to pour in P6 billion for the development of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (CEZA) in Sta. Ana, Cagayan into an agro-industrial and tourism hub.

Kim Ancheta, community relations manager of CEZA, said the government has already started investing in infrastructure projects in the northeastern coastal town of Sta. Ana such as an industrial park, port, airstrip and telecommunication infrastructure.

In its five-year 2006-2010 investment plan, CEZA plans to secure private sector support in transforming Port Irene into an international container terminal, expand the existing industrial park, develop the San Vicente fish port, and improve the San Vicente airstrip.

Port Irene, which is strategically located in the north overlooking the Babuyan Channel and the Pacific Ocean, is envisioned to be a regional trans-shipment hub molded after Singapore and Kaoshiung, Taiwan.

Ancheta said there is also a plan to construct an international airport in Lalo, Cagayan, which is 70 kilometers or more than an hour ride from Sta. Ana.

He said that because of the development plan for CEZA, major groups such as the First Cagayan Leisure and Resort Corp. and Dole Philippines have already located in the area.

 In December last year, First Cagayan opened its online gaming center in the area and started work on a 300-room hotel to be named Eastern Hawaii Casino Hotel and Resort.

First Cagayan, which signed a 25-year lease agreement over an 18-hectare area, also committed to put up a golf course, and retirement villas in the area.

Another locator, Dole Philippines Inc., is putting up a one-hectare pilot banana plantation in Sta. Ana, which encourages investments in an 800-hectare lot allotted for agro-industrial projects, supported by the Department of Agriculture.

Sta. Ana boasts of white beaches and lush green forests that are ideal for eco-tourism and sports activities like game fishing, waterports, scuba diving, snorkeling, aquathlon, and mountain trekking.