Marcos Lifts Metro Manila IT Ecozone Freeze to Boost Investments

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has lifted the moratorium on applications for setting up information technology (IT) ecozones in Metro Manila, to attract more investments and strengthen the area’s position as a leading information and communications technology hub. Under Administrative Order 45 issued by the Office of the President, applications for establishing IT centers and IT parks in Metro Manila are now excluded from the moratorium on ecozones imposed under AO 18. Issued by then president Rodrigo Duterte in 2019, AO 18 imposed a ban on applications for ecozones in Metro Manila to encourage development in the countryside. With the new AO, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is directed to accept, process and evaluate all applications for IT centers and IT parks in Metro Manila. Meanwhile, the moratorium on the processing and evaluation of applications for other ecozones in Metro Manila will remain in effect. The development follows the recommendation made earlier by the Department of Finance and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to lift the moratorium imposed under AO 18. The new order will take effect immediately after publication in the official gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. Trade Secretary Cristina Roque welcomed the new AO, noting this would support the IT-business process management sector and strengthen the country’s position as a premier global destination for digital services. “By reopening the NCR (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. She said the development also reflects the strong collaboration between the DTI, PEZA and industry stakeholders who have strongly advocated for this reform. She also encouraged investors to take full advantage of the reform and expand in the Philippines. “As we open new avenues for growth in Metro Manila alongside our continuous push to develop regional IT hubs, we are positioning the IT-BPM sector to generate thousands of high-quality jobs, attract foreign direct investments and ensure economic growth nationwide,” she said.