Manila: The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) are urging the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) to include the island provinces of Region 4-B (Mimaropa) as part of the Luzon Economic Growth area.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Luzon Economic Growth Area, also referred to as the Luzon Economic Corridor, encompasses the central and northern parts of Luzon, including key urban and industrial zones like Metro Manila, Batangas, and Central Luzon.

The BuCor and PEZA made the call following the recent signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the establishment of an economic zone at the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in the City of Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

In a news release Tuesday, BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said it is appropriate to incorporate Palawan into the Luzon Economic Corridor, considering the comprehensive development plan for the province, which aims to foster a clean, green, and technology-driven environment.

The development plan seeks to establish Palawan as a new frontier in Agri-Agro Industrial Development, linking it to the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area, which is designed to accelerate socioeconomic development in less developed regions.

Catapang said the deal is aimed at transforming 2,191.02 hectares of idle lands of BuCor into productive economic zones to stimulate job creation, particularly in rural areas, while enhancing overall productivity and individual income for residents and persons deprived of liberty.

He said the agreement upholds BuCor’s mandate, as outlined in the Bucor Modernization Act, to utilize its lands not only for inmate rehabilitation but also for generating sustainable economic opportunities.

The agreement grants PEZA the authority to develop, operate, and manage the underutilized land as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for an initial period of 50 years, with the possibility of renewal for an additional 25 years.

PEZA Director General Tereso Panga said the partnership is not just a strategic endeavor to revitalize land use, but it also aligns with the broader goals set in the Philippine Economic Development Plan 2023-2028.

Panga said the policies emphasize the acceleration of investment flow into ecozones, thereby enhancing rural economies and creating diverse employment opportunities through innovative SEZ models, including agro-forestry ecozones and aquamarine parks, among others.