Bacolod IT Park Leads PHP3.2B Ecozone Surge

The national government has approved the establishment of four new economic zones worth a combined PHP3.22 billion in the first half of 2025, with Bacolod’s Upper East IT Park leading the charge in regional investment and job creation.

The 1.6-hectare Upper East IT Park, developed by Megaworld Corp., is expected to host five information technology-business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) firms and generate more than 2,500 jobs for local residents.

The announcement was made by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), which confirmed that Marcos also approved the expansion of the Lima Technology Center in Batangas and new IT parks in Bohol.

“These ecozones will play a vital role in attracting much-needed investments, generating more jobs, and accelerating the country’s socioeconomic progress,” PEZA Director General Tereso Panga said in a statement.

The Lima Technology Center expansion, led by the Aboitiz Group, brings in PHP1.4 billion in investments, while the newly proclaimed Tagbilaran Uptown IT Hub 2 in Bohol is valued at over PHP200 million.

The Bohol IT park builds on the success of its predecessor, the Tagbilaran Uptown IT Hub 1, which currently hosts outsourcing firm TaskUs.

A prospective locator has already expressed intent to invest PHP70 million in the Bohol site, pledging to hire more than 500 workers.

PEZA noted that these newly proclaimed zones contribute to a broader national goal under the Philippine Development Plan to boost investment-led growth and development in the countryside.

Since the start of the Marcos administration, a total of 32 economic zones with committed investments of PHP13.41 billion have been proclaimed.

PEZA is also working to establish the Palawan Mega Ecozone and the Pantao Ecozone in Albay, both slated for proclamation during the current administration.

To drive further ecozone development, PEZA continues to partner with local government units and private real estate developers.

“At PEZA, under my watch, we continue to engage with our partner developers like Aboitiz and Megaworld in creating more ecozones that attract investments and drive growth, prosperity, and innovation nationwide,” Panga said.