BAGUIO CITY — After launching its “Revolution Smoke-Free” mantra in the City of Pines this week, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is bent on introducing more green economic sites across the country.
“PEZA is really committed to introduce more environment-friendly industries to correct the mindset of people that bringing industrialization will destroy the environment,” PEZA Director General Charito Plaza told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Wednesday.
“Not because we will bring industrialization in a certain area we will already destroy or harm the environment. Industrialization can happen without harming the environment,” she stressed.
PEZA is adopting the concept of environment-friendly industrialization by creating different types of economic zones that will enhance the potentials of a specific site through responsible use of its natural resources.
“If the land is agricultural, we call it agro-industrial economic zone. Only food-related and agriculture-related industries will be invited to locate and operate on the said economic zone. If the land is timberland, we call it agro-forestry economic zone, with only wood-related and paper production-related industries allowed to run inside,” Plaza explained.
She also mentioned other kinds of green economic zones that PEZA eyes opening: information technology park, tourism economic zone, medical tourism park, medical tourism center, and retirement economic zone.
“We are also encouraging our locator industries to join us in these programs. Soon, PEZA will come up with a Philippine economic zone map, showing different types of economic zones in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao,” she disclosed further.
Meanwhile, Rene Joey Mipa, administrator of the Baguio City Economic Zone Authority (BCEZA), said picking Baguio as the launching site and model for PEZA’s “Revolution Smoke-Free” program boosts the Summer Capital’s advocacy for a healthy environment, even in the workplaces, aside from being model for all economic zones nationwide.
“PEZA will require all other economic zones nationwide to follow the example of BCEZA, as this is a living testimony to how we (industries) can show our concern for our employees’ welfare,” Mipa said. **Pamela Mariz Geminiano/ PNA
