BCDA ecozone jobs up 31% during Aquino Administration

President Benigno Aquino III (malacanan.gov.ph)

MANILA — The state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said that under the Aquino Administration, employment at its three special economic zones rose to 81,282 at end-2014 or a 31.37 percent increase compared to the 61,874 recorded in 2010.

BCDA President and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova said that the 61,874 employed in 2010 compared to the recorded 81,282 employed by end-2014 has translated to an additional 19,408 jobs at the Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ) in Pampanga, the Poro Point Freeport Zone (PPFZ) in La Union, and the John Hay Special Economic Zone (JHSEZ) in Baguio City.

According to Casanova the significant increase in employment at the CFZ, the PPFZ, and the JHSEZ can be attributed to the increased investor confidence and ease of doing business as espoused by the Aquino Administration.

“This has resulted in the decision of investors to locate in the BCDA-controlled economic zones and for the existing locators to expand their businesses,” he said.

Casanova pointed out that good governance under the Aquino was the game changer.

“Good governance reforms such as cutting down the steps in doing business together with promoting transparency in all transactions played a key role in attracting more investors to put up shop in the economic zones which resulted in increased employment,” he said.

He added that “good governance is the best employment and wealth generator.”

In 2010, employment figures in CFZ was pegged at 60,162; PPMC, 701; and JHSEZ at 1,011. By the end-2014, employment figures in CFZ registered a high of 75,538; PPMC, 1,568; and JHSEZ at 4,176 or an increase of 25.6 percent, 123.7 percent and 313 percent, respectively.