Ang Pahayagan

CASIGURAN, Aurora — The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) formalized a strategic partnership with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center of the Philippines through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing held on May 21, 2026 in Casiguran, Aurora.

In his speech, APECO Deputy Administrator Usec. Gil G. Taway IV welcomed PPP Center officials led by Executive Director Undersecretary Riza Blanco-Latorre, Deputy Executive Director Assistant Secretary Eli Ricote, and Director Rois Concordia, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in accelerating development in the province.

Taway underscored that the partnership marks a critical step in recognizing that government alone cannot fully deliver large-scale transformation, highlighting the essential role of private sector participation in infrastructure development and economic growth.

He explained that Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) go beyond financing arrangements, describing them as a mechanism that combines government vision and regulatory direction with private sector innovation, technical expertise, and operational efficiency.

“Together, we create development that is faster, smarter, and more sustainable,” Taway said, noting that the PPP framework will help bridge planning and implementation gaps in APECO’s priority projects.

Among the major initiatives cited are the proposed Casiguran International New Port, the Casiguran International Airport, a pharmaceutical and research hub, and a planned national defense logistics facility aimed at strengthening strategic presence in the Pacific corridor.

Taway said these projects require substantial investment, advanced technical planning, and long-term institutional support, which the PPP Center can help facilitate through project structuring, feasibility studies, procurement guidance, and investment readiness support.

He added that the partnership sends a strong signal to investors that APECO and Aurora are ready for large-scale development and open to credible private sector participation.

The APECO official also noted growing investor interest in the economic zone, saying that private companies are now actively engaging and expressing willingness to participate in upcoming projects—an indication of increasing confidence in the agency’s development direction.

Taway expressed optimism that, with the PPP Center’s guidance and strong multi-sector collaboration, APECO can become a major growth engine not only for Aurora but also for the wider Philippine economy.

The MOA signing is expected to strengthen project preparation and implementation efforts as APECO advances its long-term vision of positioning Aurora as a key gateway to the Pacific. (Jason de Asis)

TOP 📸: APECO strengthens its development push as it formalizes a strategic partnership with the PPP Center of the Philippines, paving the way for major infrastructure projects aimed at boosting investment, connectivity, and long-term economic growth in Aurora. (Photo courtesy of APECO via Jason de Asis)