Ang Pahayagan

MARIVELES, Bataan — The Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) underscored the vital role of workers in sustaining the growth and stability of the Freeport, citing continued employment expansion, workforce regularization, and strong local hiring in 2025.

AFAB said the workforce remains the backbone of a successful Freeport, supported by sustained ecozone development and worker-centered programs that promote enterprise growth and job generation.

By the end of 2025, a total of 24,259 workers were classified as regular employees, accounting for 67.5 percent of the overall Freeport workforce. AFAB noted that this reflects its continued commitment to upholding workers’ right to security of tenure through regularization.

Employment growth has also translated into broader community benefits. Data showed that 84.77 percent of workers were residents of Bataan, with 77.53 percent coming from the host municipality of Mariveles. Meanwhile, workers from outside the province comprised 15.23 percent of the workforce, nearly doubling from 7.18 percent recorded in 2024.