Apeco president and chief executive officer Gil Taway IV during the inauguration of the two infrastructure projects last August 1, 2024. (Photo credit: Apeco)
The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Apeco) on Saturday said it finally completed its sewage treatment plant and a fire station inside the industrial hub, marking the completion of P55 million worth of projects that were delayed during the previous administration.
The Apeco said it inaugurated these infrastructure projects last August, which it sees as significantly boosting the attractiveness and preparedness of the 3,000-hectare economic hub in the province of Aurora for industry and commercial enterprises.
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“President Marcos gave a clear directive that we should complete all the abandoned projects amounting to almost P800M and today Apeco answers the call. Beyond addressing past challenges, PBBM (President Bongbong Marcos) also directed us to improve Apeco’s performance as an investment promotion agency,” Apeco president and chief executive officer Gil Taway IV said in a statement.
“Our first step to generate forward momentum is to make Apeco investment ready. This means investing in foundational infrastructures that are necessary to support the entry of industries,” he added.
The phase 1 of the sewage treatment plant has a project cost of P28 million, and is part of the four major fresh water supply projects that were left abandoned, according to the Apeco.
It has a treatment capacity of 250 cubic meters of waste water and is considered by the Apeco as a major investment in environmental management, sustainability and ensuring fresh water is available for locators and the surrounding municipalities.
Meanwhile, the fire station has a project cost of P27 million, wherein P14 million was allotted for the infrastructure component while the remaining P13 million was earmarked for the procurement of a fire truck, a rescue vehicle and an ambulance.
“The Fire Station shall bring significant benefits to Apeco and to the nearby local barangays by providing enhanced protection and reducing the risk from fires and other emergencies,” said the Apeco.
Aside from the two infrastructure projects, the Apeco said it has started the development of a two-hectare property into a series of lagoons with navigable canals to showcase green spaces in its bid to become a mixed tourist and commercial space.
The Apeco also said that its strategic direction now is to transform itself into the fishing capital of the north, a renewable energy center, and the Philippines’ first national defense hub.