Proposed SMC Eco Zone creates agro-tourism headway

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – About 2,000 residents of a coastal village of Bagac town, this province, is expecting more bountiful agricultural productivity and tourism development strategy with the proposed establishment of the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Special Economic Zone in Barangay Biaan, Mariveles town.

Barangay Chairman Lorenzo Laguna of Quinawan, Bagac town, is delighted with the latest development package that the country’s largest food conglomerate and fast growing energy producer has opted to put up a -500 hectare economic zone near the boundary of Bagac and Mariveles towns.

The operation of the new economic zone, the third in the town of Mariveles with the emerging industrial hub in Central Luzon, Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) and the Petrochemical Industrial Park, would create thousands of job opportunities for construction and skilled workers, high demand for staple food and other agricultural products such as fruits and vegetables, housing and other amenities.

Laguna explained that the establishment of another labor-intensive economic zone in the locality is another milestone in the travel and tourism industry of Bagac town, as the leading tourist spot in Central Luzon.

He said the upland farmers of the coastal village are highly-motivated with the influx of workers and their families in the coastal village which would enable them to work laboriously in the field and rich fishing grounds for the sizeable consumption market.

He added that the industrial site, about few kilometers away from the Barangay Quinawan proper, would also induce infrastructure developments including water, power, communication and other facilities.