Ang Pahayagan

CASIGURAN, Aurora — The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) has secured approximately Php18 billion worth of investment pledges over the past two years, fueled by increasing investor interest in renewable energy, defense, logistics, and food security-related projects.

In an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon on Tuesday, APECO President and Chief Executive Officer Gil G. Taway said the amount far exceeded the agency’s initial target of attracting around Php1 billion in investment commitments during his second or third year in office.

Taway, who assumed office in October 2023 for a three-year term, attributed the surge in investor confidence to the government’s strong emphasis on national security, energy security, and food security, which has helped position APECO as an emerging investment hub in the country.

Among the major prospective investors is a Singapore-based renewable energy company planning to develop a 25-megawatt solar power facility within the freeport zone. A United States-based defense logistics firm is also expected to establish operations focused on drone and anti-drone technology, with long-term plans to manufacture ammunition.

Other companies exploring opportunities within APECO include firms engaged in cold storage services, healthcare facility management, skills development and training, and internet connectivity services.

Taway highlighted APECO’s strategic location along the country’s eastern seaboard, describing it as a vital gateway to Pacific economies, Northeast Asia, and nations located within the second island chain.

He noted that ongoing efforts by global industries to diversify supply chains have encouraged investors to seek alternative locations outside traditional economic centers, helping ease port congestion and address market saturation in existing investment destinations.

“APECO is an unobstructed gateway,” Taway said, emphasizing the freeport’s potential to serve as a major logistics and investment corridor in the Asia-Pacific region.

The APECO chief also underscored the importance of reliable energy infrastructure in attracting long-term investments. He said the proposed solar power project would help ensure a stable power supply, a critical requirement for businesses considering operations within the zone.

In addition to solar energy, Taway revealed that companies involved in hydrogen power generation and waste-to-energy technologies have also expressed interest in investing in the freeport.

“Power precedes progress. Development cannot happen without energy security,” Taway said, expressing support for the national government’s efforts to strengthen the country’s energy sector.

With billions of pesos in investment commitments already secured and more projects in the pipeline, APECO continues to position itself as a key driver of economic growth, job generation, and sustainable development in Aurora and the broader Central Luzon region. (Jason de Asis)

TOP 📸 : INVESTMENT BOOST FOR APECO. Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) President and CEO Gil Taway IV and Ally Power, Inc. officials formalize a partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for a proposed clean energy facility in Casiguran, Aurora. The project forms part of the nearly Php18 billion worth of investment commitments secured by APECO, highlighting growing investor confidence in renewable energy, defense, and food security initiatives within the freeport zone. (Photo courtesy of APECO)