New CEZA chief vows reform

MANILA, Philippines - Newly-designated Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) administrator Raul Lambino has vowed to undertake key reforms to make the 54,000-hectare economic zone and freeport more attractive to investors.

Lambino, appointed CEZA administrator by President Duterte last July 13, promised to transform the special economic zone and freeport into a bustling economic growth center, tourist destination and a major transshipment and logistics hub in Northern Luzon.

“As the President’s personal choice, I will lead by example and turn the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport into his vision of a vibrant economic growth center that is efficient and clean and free of corruption,” he said.

Lambino identified the repair of Port Irene, including the dredging of its heavily silted seabed, and the construction of additional wharves to expand its capacity, plus the modernization of the North Cagayan International Airport in Lal-lo town as “extremely important to spur development of the zone.”

He said upgrading the power supply and internet connectivity would also be key to boosting the freeport’s medium-term development plan.

Other initiatives he intends to undertake is the railway alignment from Tuguegarao to the town of Lal-lo and to Santa Ana for both commuter and cargo services linking up with the rest of Luzon.

Lambino said Cagayan Special Economic Zone’s strategic location at the northern tip of Luzon’s eastern seaboard could easily make the freeport a major transshipments and logistics point for trade in the Asia-Pacific Rim.

Its forest trails, beaches and landscapes, meanwhile, could be utilized to attract tourists, he said.

The Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport spans the entire towns of Santa Ana, including the island of Fuga, Barit and Mabbag in Appari, Cagayan.