By Jason Joshua Garcia
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — A P15-billion eco-friendly industrial park will soon rise inside this premier Freeport that will house light industrial factories, commercial facilities, residential buildings, and a nature park.
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma revealed that Taiwanese firm Xantheng Subic International Corp. plans to build the 200-hectare Tipo Hightech Eco Park (THEP) in Tipo, near the expressway leading in and out of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
The firm is also engaged in the development of a high-end condotel in Triboa Bay, here.
THEP Project Manager Jeff Lin said that the project will need over 500 employees during its development stage, then will hire more workers when various factories and businesses start their operation there. Aside from the employment, the project is expected to pay the SBMA around P5 million for monthly rentals.
The project plans to hire upland farmers of the area who were part of the social fencing project of the SBMA wherein investors need to hire residents that are near their project site. The social fencing project will hire residents of Tipo and Mabiga once operation starts.
“I want you to promise me that when the factories and business are up, you will give priority to hiring these families or their children,” Eisma said, referring to the 65 families who were part of the social fencing program.
The SBMA official also thanked the farmers for their cooperation, and for allowing a very smooth and pleasant negotiation and turn-over.
Lin said the THEP was conceived to accommodate the growing population of Taiwanese investors in the Subic Bay Freeport. However, the management does not discount giving room for other nationalities, he said.
“The business atmosphere in here is very conducive and attractive, especially with the on-going road and infrastructure projects of the SBMA. Many Taiwanese companies and investors from other countries, too, are interested to locate here,” Lin said.
According to the master plan submitted by THEP to SBMA, the development will include 101.47 hectares for light industries, 17.99 hectares for a commercial complex, 7.11 hectares for mixed use, 23.16 hectares for residential buildings, and 23.16 for a nature and environment conservation park.
There will also be a reserved area for utilities use and other purposes for a total development area of 209.27 hectares.
