PBBM expands west Cebu ecozone; creates more RTC branches across PH

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

Meanwhile, the President also signed new laws creating additional branches of Regional Trial Courts (RTC) across several regions in the country. (PCO file photo)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the expansion of the West Cebu Industrial Park, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)-registered special economic zone in Balamban town in the province of Cebu.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed Proclamation No. 710 on Oct. 16, a copy of which was made public Sunday, designating several parcels of land, located at Barangays Arpili and Buanoy for inclusion into the existing West Cebu ecozone.

According to the proclamation, the additional land has a total land area of 176,783 square meters or roughly 17.6 hectares.

West Cebu Industrial Park has been playing a significant role as an important hub of the Philippines’ shipbuilding industry for more than 30 years.

It is being operated by the Cebu Industrial Park Developers, Inc. (CIPDI) —a joint venture between the Aboitiz Group and the Tsuneishi Group of Japan.

Currently a 540-hectare mixed-use development, the ecozone hosts 11 locators from medium to heavy industries, some of which are the biggest shipbuilding firms in the world, making Balamban the shipbuilding capital of the Philippines.

New trial courts

Meanwhile, the President also signed new laws creating additional branches of Regional Trial Courts (RTC) across several regions in the country.

Marcos signed the following laws on Oct. 17:

Republic Act No. 12029, creating two additional RTC branches in the Fourth Judicial Region to be stationed in Silang Cavite;

Republic Act No. 12030, creating three additional branches of the Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) in the National Capital Region Judicial Region to be stationed in Parañaque City;

Republic Act No. 12031, creating two additional RTC branches in the Second Judicial Region to be stationed in Cabagan, Isabela;

Republic Act No. 12032, creating three additional RTC branches in the Tenth Judicial Region to be stationed in San Jose, Dinagat Islands, and two additional MeTC branches in the municipalities of San Jose and Basilisa;

Republic Act No. 12033, creating an additional RTC branch in the Eighth Judicial Region to be stationed in the City of Baybay, Leyte;

Republic Act No. 12034, creating six additional RTC branches in the Ninth Judicial Region to be stationed in Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay;

Republic Act No. 12035, creating three additional RTC branches in the Tenth Judicial Region to be stationed in the City of Valencia, Bukidnon; and

Republic Act No. 12036, creating four additional RTC branches in the Eighth Judicial Region to be stationed in Tacloban City, Leyte

The Supreme Court is mandated to assign the respective branch numbers for the newly created branches of the RTC.

While the funds necessary for the implementation of the new laws, including appropriations for personnel services such as salaries, benefits, and emoluments for judges and court personnel, court operations under maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) will be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.