The Tourism Infrastructure and Economic Zone Authority has approved Puerto Princesa City’s application to designate the 1,072-hectare Sta. Lucia Environmental Estate, which the local administration wants to transform into a master-planned community, as a Tourism Enterprise Zone.
“Napaka swerte talaga—nasabi ko sa inyo noong Sabado sa Balayong tree planting and nurturing festival—na na-approve na yong ating application for Tourism Enterprise Zone (TEZ) designation ng ating environmental estate,” Mayor Lucilo Bayron announced on Monday during the city government’s flag-raising ceremony.
Bayron noted that the application was supposed to be evaluated by the TEZ Technical Working Group (TWG) before the board of directors of the Tourism Infrastructure and Economic Zone Authority (TIEZA) can take action on it. Unfortunately, the TWG was unable to reach a quorum.
Given this situation, the application was directly submitted to TIEZA’s board of directors for recording and, potentially, for approval as submitted.
“In-approve nga, kaya napaka swerte natin. Ngayon lalo na tayong double time. [Mag] double time tayo, meron na tayong pinanghahawakan na financial and non-financial incentives na puwede nating makuha sa national government,” he said.
Previously, Bayron said that designation as a TEZ of the Sta. Lucia Environmental Estate by the TIEZA will bring numerous benefits to the master-planned community they plan to build to boost tourism and economic growth in Puerto Princesa City.
This development is set to include multiple tourism enterprise facilities, featuring an advanced international convention center with a capacity of 30,000.
He said being a TEZ offers benefits like investment incentives, enhanced infrastructure, regulatory assistance, and marketing support, all aimed at boosting tourism and economic growth.
