Many of our countrymen in the provinces still believe better life could be found in Metro Manila where opportunities abound. This could be true many years ago but a lot changed since then.

Probinsyanos are now finding it hard to find jobs in the metropolis because they are in direct competition with jobseekers residing in the national capital region.

Despite this however, they continue to go to Metro Manila to take the gamble. While a few succeeds, a great number of them ends up jobless. Some of them are lucky to have relatives in Metro Manila to help and accommodate them. But many become homeless and eventually resort to desperate measures.

Fortunate, there are now many reasons for our brothers and sisters to stay in their home provinces where life is actually more peaceful and tolerable. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vowed to bring development outside of Metro Manila to provide them livelihood opportunities.

Infact, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) reported recently that three new economic zones outside Metro Manila were proclaimed by the President in July, which are expected to create more opportunities in the countryside.

The PEZA said these were declared as additional ecozones last July 25.

These new ecozones include Naga City Industrial Park in Carolina, Naga City; Loupe’s Mandalagan IT Center in Mandalagan, Bacolod City; and Marina Town Dumaguete in Piapi, Dumaguete City.

“We remain committed in our overarching goal of spurring countryside development through the creation of more ecozones seen to facilitate growth and development of our regions and attract new and strategic investments in the country,” PEZA Director General Tereso Panga said.

The investment promotion agency remains on track with its goal of establishing at least 30 ecozones every year to spur economic development in the countryside.

There are also six more PEZA ecozones pending for proclamation by the Chief Executive, which include information technology (IT) centers in Parañaque City and Pasig City; manufacturing ecozones in Tanza, Cavite and Ilocos Sur; and an agro-industrial ecozone in Sarangani province.

Also last month, the PEZA approved PHP16.58 billion worth of investments from 15 new and expansion projects.

These projects are expected to add USD419.5 million in export revenues and create 2,983 jobs in the country.

With the new approvals in July, investment pledges in PEZA for the past seven months surged by 332 percent to PHP97.16 billion from PHP22.49 billion in the same period in 2022.

“We are more than encouraged to promote the Philippines to global investors, taking the cue from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. that the best time to invest in the country is now and that we are the best investment destination in the region,” Panga said.

“Among the bright prospects for the Philippines and the ecozones include our 6 to 7 percent GDP (gross domestic product) growth target, our ascension to RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) and other FTAs (free trade agreements), the 5 to 15 percent annual growth target by the industries, Marcos administration’s efforts to increase our credit rating, and our aggressive investment promotions,” he added.

**

For comments, please call or text 09569012811 or email [email protected]