The bills which seek to create special economic zone and freeport in Bacolod City and Iloilo got the nod of the House committees on economic affairs and trade and industry.

House Bill (HB) 5794, also known as Metro Iloilo Special Economic Zone (Miloecozone) and the Miloecozone Authority, and HB 5538 for Bacolod are two of the seven bills creating special economic zones in different parts the country which were recently approved by the panels.

Iloilo City Representative Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda, author of the proposed measure, said once it will be passed into law, the Miloecozone is expected to attract more investments in Western Visayas.

“We are eager to have this passed in the House. Our economy needs to recover from the ill effects of the pandemic. This bill will help bring in investors if it becomes a law,” said Baronda.

It was late last week when the two committees, chaired by Aklan Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr. and Navotas Rep. John Reynald Tiangco, endorsed for plenary approval the committee reports of HB 5794 along with six other bills.

The other five bills creating special economic zones in others parts of the country and creating their corresponding authorities are HB 655 establishing the Sangley Point special economic zone in the City of Cavite, Cavite province; HB 263, or an act establishing the special economic zone and free port in the municipalities of San Jose and Magsaysay in Occidental Mindoro; HB 264 establishing the special economic zone and free port in the Paluan town, Occidental Mindoro; HB 3239 and HB 5440 establishing the special economic zone in the 4th district of Cebu and in the municipalities of Ubay, Buenavista, Talibon, and Getafe in Bohol, respectively./WDJ