Cagayan Special Economic Zone
Encyclopedia
The Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport in the Philippines, also known as Cagayan Freeport, was established by virtue of Republic Act No. 7922, otherwise known as the Cagayan Economic Zone Act of 1995. It is being supervised and managed by the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) into a self-sustaining industrial, commercial, financial, and recreational center, with a suitable residential area, in order to create employment opportunities around the Cagayan Freeport, and to effectively encourage and attract legitimate and productive local and foreign investments.
The freeport is actually located in Port Irene, Casambalangan, Santa Ana
, Cagayan. It is approximately a 45-minute plane ride from Kaoshiung, Taiwan
's largest industrial and shipping center. By virtue of RA 7922, it can be expanded to Fuga Island
in the north.
The freeport is at the forefront of the development of the gaming infrastructure. Gaming operators and entities operating in the freeport enjoy numerous benefits and incentives inherent including the potential of positioning themselves as lead players in the freeport, ensuing global connectivity. It includes the development and operation of a casino
resort
, an 18-hole golf course
, a theme park, and other recreational and tourism amenities.
The design of the area's master plan was awarded to a consortium composed of several local and foreign specialists including Landseaire Resources and Management Corporation, The Lead Corporation, The Services Group, Hok International, Ltd., Woodward Clyde, Filipinas Dravo, and Pacific Asia Capital Corporation. The plan, which is the first phase of an overall development master plan, includes the development of a port, upgrading the region's agricultural production, rehabilitation of the airstrip, resort development, and creation of an industrial zone while sustaining environmental protection for the entire area.
The freeport also was given autonomy to operate as a separate customs territory similar to Hong Kong
, Singapore
, Labuan
in Malaysia and Hamburg
in Germany
. It made the location an ideal site for an international transshipment hub.
Cagayan Economic Zone Act of 1995 was authored by Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile
, a native of Gonzaga
town in Cagayan
. Cagayan Economic Zone Authority is administered by Jose Mari Ponce, a relative of the senator.
and some neighboring islands in the Aparri, Cagayan
.
.
The freeport is actually located in Port Irene, Casambalangan, Santa Ana
Santa Ana, Cagayan
Santa Ana is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 25,833 people in 4,101 households.Santa Ana is the home of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone.-Barangays:...
, Cagayan. It is approximately a 45-minute plane ride from Kaoshiung, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
's largest industrial and shipping center. By virtue of RA 7922, it can be expanded to Fuga Island
Fuga Island
Fuga Island is an island in the municipality of Aparri, Cagayan, with an area of 100 km². Together with its nearshore western neighbor islets Barit and Mabag it constitutes one of 42 barangays of the city of Aparri. It is located in the northernmost part of the Philippines as part of the...
in the north.
The freeport is at the forefront of the development of the gaming infrastructure. Gaming operators and entities operating in the freeport enjoy numerous benefits and incentives inherent including the potential of positioning themselves as lead players in the freeport, ensuing global connectivity. It includes the development and operation of a casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
resort
Resort
A resort is a place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting visitors for holidays or vacations. Resorts are places, towns or sometimes commercial establishment operated by a single company....
, an 18-hole golf course
Golf course
A golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes...
, a theme park, and other recreational and tourism amenities.
The design of the area's master plan was awarded to a consortium composed of several local and foreign specialists including Landseaire Resources and Management Corporation, The Lead Corporation, The Services Group, Hok International, Ltd., Woodward Clyde, Filipinas Dravo, and Pacific Asia Capital Corporation. The plan, which is the first phase of an overall development master plan, includes the development of a port, upgrading the region's agricultural production, rehabilitation of the airstrip, resort development, and creation of an industrial zone while sustaining environmental protection for the entire area.
The freeport also was given autonomy to operate as a separate customs territory similar to Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, Labuan
Labuan
Labuan is a federal territory in East Malaysia. It is an island off the coast of the state of Sabah. Labuan's capital is Victoria and is best known as an offshore financial centre offering international financial and business services via Labuan IBFC since 1990 as well as being an offshore support...
in Malaysia and Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. It made the location an ideal site for an international transshipment hub.
Cagayan Economic Zone Act of 1995 was authored by Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile
Juan Ponce Enrile
Juan Ponce Enrile is a Filipino politician. As a protege of President Ferdinand Marcos, he served as Justice Secretary and then Defense Secretary under the Marcos regime. He later became one of the leaders of the 1986 People Power Movement that drove Marcos from power...
, a native of Gonzaga
Gonzaga, Cagayan
Gonzaga is a 1st class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines.-Physical description:Gonzaga is located at the northeastern tip of the province of Cagayan, bordered by the municipality of Santa Ana to the northeast, the municipality of Santa Teresita to the west, and the municipality...
town in Cagayan
Cagayan
Cagayan , the "Land of Smiling Beauty", is a province of the Philippines in the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Its capital is Tuguegarao City and is located at the northeastern corner of the island of Luzon. Cagayan also includes the Babuyan Islands to the north. The province borders Ilocos Norte...
. Cagayan Economic Zone Authority is administered by Jose Mari Ponce, a relative of the senator.
History
The Philippine Senate passed Republic Act No. 7922, also known as Cagayan Special Economic Zone Act of 1995, creating a special economic zone in Sta. Ana, CagayanCagayan
Cagayan , the "Land of Smiling Beauty", is a province of the Philippines in the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Its capital is Tuguegarao City and is located at the northeastern corner of the island of Luzon. Cagayan also includes the Babuyan Islands to the north. The province borders Ilocos Norte...
and some neighboring islands in the Aparri, Cagayan
Cagayan
Cagayan , the "Land of Smiling Beauty", is a province of the Philippines in the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Its capital is Tuguegarao City and is located at the northeastern corner of the island of Luzon. Cagayan also includes the Babuyan Islands to the north. The province borders Ilocos Norte...
.
Cagayan International Airport
Cagayan International Airport is planned airport to be built in Lallo, Cagayan to support the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport. It is projected to cost some Php1.67 billion. The planned international airport will be one of the two international airports being proposed in the Pacific seaboard of Luzon island. Luzon island has only one domestic airport operating on Pacific side - Legazpi AirportLegazpi Airport
Legazpi Airport in the Philippines is a major airport in the Bicol Region, serving the vicinity of Legazpi City in Albay...
.