THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Tuesday welcomed Malacañang’s decision to lift the moratorium on applications for new economic zones in Metro Manila.
The moratorium — which had been in place since 2019 under Administrative Order 18 of the Duterte administration — aimed to create equal opportunities for the development of special economic zones in the countryside.
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque called the lifting a major win for the information technology-business process management sector, and a step toward advancing the country’s bid as a global destination for digital services.
“By reopening the [National Capital Region] to new IT ecozones and targeted expansion, we are addressing long-standing investor demand, unlocking significant real estate opportunities and revitalizing the ecosystem that drives our country’s digital economy,” Roque said.
Close coordination between the DTI, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority and industry stakeholders helped pushed for the reform — which is seen to create more high-quality jobs, attract foreign direct investments and ensure economic growth nationwide.
Roque encouraged international partners and prospective investors to seize the opportunity presented by the policy shift and build their companies’ future in the Philippines.
Government officials including Roque and Finance Secretary Frederick Go, agencies such as the Philippine Economic Zone Authority and industry groups had urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to lift the moratorium.