House okays bill creating Medellin economic zone

CEBU, Philippines —  The House of Representatives has passed a bill establishing a special economic zone in Medellin town in northern Cebu and creating the Cebu Fourth District Special Economic Zone Authority.

Sponsored by Cebu Fourth District Representative Janice Salimbangon, House Bill No. 10233 has already been transmitted to the Senate on September 28, 2021.

The establishment of the special economic zone in the fourth district has been a long dream of the late congressman Benhur Salimbangon who was the district representative for 12 years and his wife, Janice, pursuing it.

“Kung anaa na ang economic zone sa distrito, kini makahatag ug daghan nga oporetunidad sa pagpanrabaho, negosyo ug uban pa nga panginabuhian ug kalamboan sa tibuok distrito,” Salimbangon said.

On July 31, 2019, Salimbangon filed House Bill No. 3239 which was then referred to the House Committees on Economic Affairs, Trade and Industry, Appropriations, and Ways and Means.

On September 16, 2021, the committees recommended the approval of House Bill No. 10233 substituting House Bill No. 3239 co-authored by 77 other representatives.

On September 27, 2021, 190 congressmen voted in favor of the proposed bill while six voted against it.

Salimbangon said that of the entire province of Cebu, it is the fourth district that is best suited for the establishment of the said special economic zone.

“The district has all the economic factors and qualifications required of a viable economic zone. It has the widest stretch of flat land, a very rich land resource. It has a seaport in almost all of its component municipalities and city. It is likewise capable of producing literate, educated, skilled workers,” she said.

The creation of a special economic development zone in the district is likewise a tool to decongest the growing population in the highly urbanized areas of Cebu.

Salimbangon added that with the creation of a special economic zone in the fourth district of Cebu, professionals and other qualified individuals living within the area and its neighboring municipalities would not anymore seek for employment elsewhere.

The establishment of the special economic zone aims to encourage, promote, induce, and accelerate sound and balanced industrial, economic, and social development.

It will provide jobs, especially to those in the rural areas, increase their productivity and their individual family income, and to attract legitimate and productive foreign investments. — KQD (FREEMAN)