DTI Pushes Mega Ecozones, Pharma Hubs, Digital Reforms

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is spearheading a wide-ranging national strategy to establish new mega ecozones, pharmaceutical hubs, and digital infrastructure aimed at generating jobs, enhancing local industry, and propelling the Philippines toward a modern, inclusive economy.

Backed by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), these initiatives form part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision for a “Bagong Pilipinas,” with the goal of fostering economic growth across all regions, especially outside major urban centers.

“Our commitment extends beyond attracting investments; it is about strategically shaping the economic landscape for a ‘Bagong Pilipinas,’” said Trade Secretary Cristina A. Roque.

“By driving the establishment of cutting-edge mega ecozones and specialized pharma hubs, coupled with our aggressive push for digitalization, we are laying the groundwork for inclusive prosperity, ensuring that every Filipino benefits from a future-ready economy built on innovation and opportunity,” she added.

Among the centerpiece projects is the Pantao Ecozone in Libon, Albay, which is being developed as a major eastern seaboard port to link Philippine trade to the Indo-Pacific corridor.

Also in progress is the Palawan Mega Ecozone, a joint initiative between PEZA and the Bureau of Corrections, which aims to become the country’s first mega ecozone and a pivotal trade hub in the Western Philippines and BIMP-EAGA region.

To fast-track this development, a technical working group composed of key government agencies—including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Agrarian Reform—has been formed to facilitate regulatory approvals and proclamations.

In line with the administration’s push for more affordable healthcare, the First Pharmaceutical Ecozone has been launched in Tarlac through a partnership involving the Food and Drug Administration, private sector players, and local government units.

The Victoria Industrial Park, launched on April 30, 2025, marked a milestone for the pharmaceutical ecozone, with 13 prospective locators signing agreements with developer Greenstone Pharmaceuticals.

This hub is envisioned to become the Philippines’ leading center for pharmaceutical manufacturing and medical research, boosting domestic supply and reducing dependence on imported medicines.

In parallel with physical infrastructure development, PEZA is pushing for digital transformation to improve ease of doing business and attract more investment.

Through a partnership with Stacktrek, Concentrix, and TESDA, the agency has launched the AI Tech Academy—the country’s first TESDA-accredited facility offering AI education at beginner and intermediate levels.

PEZA is also finalizing new work-from-home (WFH) guidelines that exclude administrative and finance staff from the 50% onsite workforce requirement, offering greater operational flexibility for IT-registered business enterprises (RBEs).

Further regulatory streamlining is planned through Memoranda of Agreement with the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Fire Protection to establish one-stop action centers for tax and fire safety compliance.

The PEZA’s digitalization agenda includes innovations like e-payments, automated visa processing, digital building permits, and paperless ecozone transfers—all aimed at reducing bureaucracy and boosting investor confidence.

In addition, PEZA is pioneering sustainability programs, including voluntary environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting and eco-industrial park certifications aligned with international development frameworks.

“These initiatives are paving the way for a more inclusive, connected, and competitive Philippines,” Roque said.

“Guided by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision for a Bagong Pilipinas, we are not only strengthening the foundations of our economy but also ensuring that innovation and opportunity reach every region,” she added.