NEDA sees APECO potential as agro-aqua, ecotourism hub

An agro-aqua and ecotourism zone may better suit the area in Casiguran, Aurora province where Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) is being developed, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said Monday. In a statement, the NEDA said the area “has intrinsic economic potential as an agro-aqua and ecotourism zone.” “A well-defined market for outputs within and outside of the ecozone as well as the abundant agri-aqua raw materials and human resources in the area serve as a strong draw for locators,” the NEDA said, citing its assessment of APECO's economic potential. The assessment came after President Benigno S. Aquino III instructed NEDA to look into economic potential of APECO. “This new plan would generate employment and spur development not just in the catchment area of Dilasag-Casiguran-Dinalungan in Aurora, but also in the nearby provinces,” the NEDA said. Farmers, fisher folk and indigenous peoples' groups have been opposing the 12,923-hectare special economic zone in Aurora, alleging that it will affect their livelihood and displace locals. But the NEDA said scrapping the project “will be more wasteful... [g]iven the amount of public funds already spent.” This, even as the area still lacks minimum facilities needed to attract locators and undertake operation, like a stable energy source, clean water supply, and facilities for proper solid waste management. “Further investment support for the installation of all these additional facilities will be contingent on APECO’s completion of its master plan, and other essential corporate business plans and policies in place, including its land use plan,” the NEDA said.   “Partnership with local government units and other national agencies through dialogues and consultations would truly make the effort supportive of inclusive growth,” it added. APECO is being developed pursuant to Republic Act (RA) 94940 or the Aurora Special Economic Zone Authority Act of 2007 and its amendatory law RA 10083 or Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Free Port Act of 2010. It was originally eyed as a self-sustaining industrial, commercial, financial, and recreational center, with a suitable residential area, in order to create employment opportunities in Aurora province. In October 2011, controversy struck when 200 farmers and fisher folk led by partylist Anakpawis and Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) asked the high court to “strike down and declare as unconstitutional” laws that created APECO. — Siegfrid O. Alegado/BM, GMA News