Ang Pahayagan

CASIGURAN, Aurora — The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) and InfiniVAN Inc. have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen digital infrastructure in Aurora, a move aimed at positioning the province as a key data center hub along the country’s growing ICT corridor.

The agreement, formalized in Makati City, was led by APECO President and CEO Gil G. Taway IV and InfiniVAN President Shigeki Nakahara, with Naobumi Yokota, Economic Affairs Minister of the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines, in attendance.

Under the MOU, both parties will explore the development of terrestrial fiber connectivity within APECO in Casiguran. This infrastructure is expected to link the ecozone to international submarine cable landing stations in Baler, Aurora, and other Northern Luzon corridors, including Claveria, Cagayan.

InfiniVAN, the Philippine subsidiary of Japan-based IPS Inc., is recognized as a major player in broadband infrastructure, currently operating one of the country’s largest international internet capacities. Its network spans more than 10 submarine cable systems, delivering over 20 terabits per second of bandwidth.

The planned connectivity is seen as a critical step in attracting hyperscalers and technology firms seeking to expand artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing operations in the region. Officials say the initiative could trigger a wave of investments in data centers and related industries in Aurora.

 Taway emphasized that the project could have far-reaching economic benefits beyond digital infrastructure. “The convergence of digital and energy infrastructure is expected to create employment opportunities for local communities,” he said, noting that data center developments often spur growth in supporting industries, skills training, and local enterprises.

The initiative is also expected to increase energy demand, complementing APECO’s efforts to develop a clean energy portfolio capable of supporting high-capacity facilities such as data centers.

InfiniVAN Chairman Koji Miyashita expressed support for the collaboration, describing it as aligned with the broader mission of expanding connectivity and economic opportunities in the region.

Beyond connectivity, the partnership opens the door for further cooperation and potential commercial agreements, including the expansion of fiber optic backhaul networks to support APECO’s broader infrastructure program covering ports, airports, and digital systems.

The ecozone is being positioned as a strategic gateway to the Pacific, leveraging its geographic location and infrastructure push to attract investments aligned with the national agenda of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on digital transformation, energy, and economic development.

Local government units across Aurora have also expressed support for the initiative, with provincial and municipal leaders signing a pledge backing the collaboration, underscoring a unified push to transform the province into a competitive hub for digital services in Northern Luzon. (Jason de Asis)

TOP 📸: APECO and InfiniVAN formalize a landmark partnership to boost Aurora’s digital infrastructure, paving the way for the ecozone’s emergence as a next-generation data center hub in Northern Luzon. (Jason de Asis)