Ilocos lawmaker raps colleague over ecozone bill

VIGAN CITY – Rep. Ronald Singson of the First District of Ilocos Sur accused the other day Antique Rep. Exequiel Javier of allegedly blocking his bill to establish the Ilocos Sur Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (ISSEZPA) that will improve economic development and generate thousands of employment in this province.

“Instead of supporting the economic programs of the country for the benefit of the people, they (critics) are instead trying to block it,” said Singson.

Singson, son of former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, said that his critics should give his proposal a chance before accusing it (proposal) of various unfounded if not ludicrous reasons.

Rep. Singson lost his temper when Rep. Javier, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, allegedly tried to suppress his economic development program for the Ilocos during the committee’s meeting last Tuesday night.

 Singson complained that Javier was against his proposal arguing that the economic zone could be a haven for smuggling.

“I got angry and I challenged him (Javier) to file a bill to control smuggling and not block the development of Ilocos,” Singson said.

He said the members of the House Committee on Economic Affairs that have already conducted a hearing at the Salomague Port in Cabugao, Ilocos, where the proposed economic zone will be established, have already approved the bill that would provide economic benefits and employment to thousands of residents.

“In view of the declining tobacco industry, the main source of income in the province, there is a need to immediately approve this program to alleviate the plight of the Ilocanos,” pointed out Singson.

Singson said that he did not plan the economic zone for smuggling but for the creation of.

He pointed out that several foreign investors from China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and other nations have already expressed their interest to invest in the proposed economic zone. 

The said economic zone was a brainchild of former Gov. Singson when he was still a congressman and governor of this province.

The young Singson expects that around 10,000 jobs will be generated once the economic zone is in full operation.