Carmen ecozone project implies bright prospects

Because of its rich cultural heritage and its people’s deep religiosity, the town of Carmen is oftentimes flocked by domestic and foreign tourists, but in about five years time, local government officials are optimistic of a brighter economic development for the town through their ecozone project.

Carmen is a third class municipality which receives an annual revenue allotment from the national government worth P40 million. 

The town is about 42 kilometers north of Cebu City and is  bordered to the north by the Municipality of Catmon; Municipality of Tuburan to the northeast, to the west by the Municipality of Asturias, and to the South by the City of Danao. It is composed of 21 barangays or barrio and was founded in 1870.

In an interview with Vice-mayor Sonia Q. Pua, she said that for decades, Carmen was able to prove that it can be one of the province’s most beautiful tourism destinations with its many attractive spots. In fact they boast of holding the oldest Sinulog celebration in the province.

But with their 20 hectare- ecozone project, which is the brainchild of their municipal mayor and initiated by a Taiwanese national, bright future is eyed ahead for Carmen.

“Economy-wise, I can say Carmen is already moving towards progress because of the influx of foreign and domestic investors,” Pua stressed.

The ecozone project has been started this year and as of the moment, there are two major locators in the area. There is the Paul Yu Enterprises, an export processing plant of the Taiwanese national who bought the property and the factory produces furniture, fixtures and jewelry items. The other one is considered as Visayas and Mindanao’s’ biggest chicken dressing plant owned by the Lhuilliers, one of Cebu’s prominent business clans.

Aside from the dressing plant, the Lhuilliers also acquired hectares of land in Carmen in which they built their Hacienda Lhuillier that has a private zoo which features different local and foreign species of animals.

Carmen’s ecozone project is still to go full blast in about five years time said councilor Gerard Villarama. He said that they are still processing for the declaration of the property into an ecozone with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

Villarama also added that the local government of Carmen is planning to accommodate light industries in the ecozone. He said that the Taiwanese national Paul Yu is already talking with China-based firms to relocate in the area since labor is quite cheaper here in the country and our workers are skilled and is competent in the English language.

In terms of tourism, Villarama said that they are still on the stage of identifying areas with tourism potential however he said that they are currently prioritizing their ecozone project since tourism development will generate only a few employment to their locals.

Known for its abundant natural resources especially its water reserves which was eyed by the San Miguel and Ayala Corporation years ago, many investors are very keen on acquiring business investments in Carmen and to avoid compromising their natural environment, the local government also ensured proper zoning.

Vice Mayor Pua projected that the ecozone can generate about 1, 000 to 2, 000 employment in the next years. As of the moment, there are already 200 locals employed at the two existing locators. She added that an investor has shown interest to put up a mango factory in the area.

Because of these commercial developments in Carmen, the value of its lots has appreciated. A lot that used to cost P100 per square meters is now priced at P500 per square meters.