Villafuerte makes case for Camarines Sur's SEZ bid.

A group of Bicol congressmen is pursuing in the 19th Congress the creation of a special economic zone (SEZ) in Camarines Siur, which has been recognized as the country's most business-friendly province for three consecutive years.

House Bill (HB) No.3681, one of the filers of which is Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte, also states that the province is considered one of the country's top economic performers.

Villafuerte had assured the House Committees on Economic Affairs and on Trade and Industry during their recent joint hearing that this proposed SEZ--envisioned to be the "center of development" in the Bicol region--has all that it takes to become a major investment hub, given that its ideal features meet the standards of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) for ecozones. Villafuerte, majority leader of the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA), said "there are already existing infrastructure in broadband connectivity, road network, water facilities and standby power supply" at the Provincial Capitol Complex in the capital town of Pili, where the proposed ecozone will be headquartered.

Villafuerte said the establishment of the proposed special ecozone would not only boost the region's growth and development, but would also encourage Bicolanos to stay put in their home-provinces instead of flocking to Metro Manila for jobs.

He said this would help the national government attain its twin goals of decongesting the National Capital Region (NCR) and stimulating growth in the countryside.

"Our proposed CamSur Ecozone is expected to overcome all the difficulties faced by other areas that had previously sought SEZ declaration," said Villafuerte, a former...