AFP, PEZA ink pact on use of military lands as ‘ecozones’

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that will guide future use of military reservations as “defense industrial ecozones.”

AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana and PEZA director general Charito Plaza signed the MOA at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Thursday.

“These identified ecozones are potential Asean regional production and distribution hubs for manufactured products, which will definitely optimize our resource generation opportunities that can significantly support the successful implementation of our Modernization Programs,” Sobejana said in a statement Friday.

Meanwhile, Plaza, who is also a reservist brigadier general, said the signing of the agreement will make the AFP and PEZA’s collaboration institutional and is a concrete step toward the common goal of developing idle government lands like military reservations, to attract and create investments, bring in technology, and create jobs and livelihood for the people.

Both parties will endeavor to enhance the capacity of defense manufacturing sectors through regional economic zones, which shall serve as ready locations for defense manufacturing enterprises.

The AFP, with the assistance of PEZA, will explore the conversion, identify assets, and set the metes and bounds of some of its military lands for use as economic zones.

Meanwhile, PEZA will also provide assistance complying with regulations, administering incentives, and perform functions per Republic Act 7916 or the Special Economic Zones Act.

It will also assist in linking up the AFP with industries for possible joint ventures and other investment arrangements.

“We are extremely confident on the capability of PEZA [to help] the AFP and transform parts of our military real estates into bustling economic zones that will become an alternative source of funds for the procurement of modern assets and equipment for the Armed Forces,” Sobejana added.

The MOA will take effect upon the approval of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

Sobejana is confident that this latest partnership will not only contribute in its campaign to win the peace but also in attaining their vision to become a “world-class Armed Forces, that is a source of national pride.”