The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) is positioning itself as an alternative and complementary site for U.S. defense sector investments in the Philippines, offering strategic advantages on the country’s eastern seaboard with direct access to the Pacific Ocean.
APECO made the pitch during engagements with the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC) delegation that visited the Philippines from August 11 to 14, coinciding with the U.S. Aerospace, Defense, and Security (ADS) Mission.
During the reception hosted by U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay L. Carlson in Makati City and the ADS Business Networking in Pasay City, APECO President and CEO Atty. Gil G. Taway IV, Deputy Administrator Angelo Gabriel D. Mantuano, and Business Development and Marketing Division Manager Gene Angelo P. Ferrer discussed with U.S. business leaders the ecozone’s viability as a hub for warehousing, expansion projects, and defense-related services, such as MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) of ships and aircraft.
APECO’s natural harbor facing the Pacific positions itself as a potential site for defense manufacturing companies, particularly those seeking to expand beyond traditional hubs like Subic, while complementing the Philippines’ overall security and economic strategy.
One of APECO’s key assets is its operating airstrip, initially capable of servicing chartered flights. The investment promotion agency (IPA) is also working toward securing a Permit-to-Operate (PTO) from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to formalize operations, which would open the door for potential MRO activities for aircraft.
“APECO offers a strategic location where U.S. defense companies can find room to grow, not in competition with Subic, but in complement to it. Together, these zones can strengthen the Philippines’ role in regional security and economic resilience,” PCEO Taway said.
The APECO chief added that the IPA’s direct access to the Pacific makes it a natural gateway for logistics and defense-related activities.
“The defense sector is a natural fit for us, given our location and resources. We see this as a step toward positioning APECO as not just a local ecozone, but a strategic player in the wider Indo-Pacific landscape,” PCEO Taway emphasized.
The US-ABC mission brought together leading companies across sectors to explore opportunities in the Philippines, underscoring the country’s importance in the regional security and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region.
For APECO, the meetings provided an opportunity to highlight its value proposition as a future-ready site for aerospace, defense, and security projects.
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APECO Pitches Strategic Role as Alternative Hub for U.S. Defense Investments
The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) is positioning itself as a complementary hub for U.S. defense and aerospace investments in the Philippines, leveraging its unique location on the eastern seaboard with direct access to the Pacific Ocean.
APECO presented its value proposition during engagements with the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC) delegation, which visited Manila from August 11–14 in line with the U.S. Aerospace, Defense, and Security (ADS) Mission.
At networking sessions hosted by U.S. Ambassador MaryKay L. Carlson in Makati City and in Pasay City, APECO President and CEO Atty. Gil G. Taway IV, together with Deputy Administrator Angelo Gabriel D. Mantuano and Business Development Manager Gene Angelo P. Ferrer, underscored the ecozone’s readiness to serve as a hub for warehousing, expansion projects, and defense-related services, including ship and aircraft maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO).
APECO’s natural harbor and operational airstrip—soon to be formalized with a Permit-to-Operate from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)—strengthen its viability as a base for aerospace and defense firms looking to diversify beyond Subic, while complementing the country’s broader security and economic development agenda.
“APECO offers U.S. defense companies room to expand—not in competition with Subic, but as its complement. Together, these zones can reinforce the Philippines’ role in regional security and economic resilience,” Taway said.
He emphasized that APECO’s Pacific-facing position provides a natural gateway for logistics and defense activities, making it an attractive choice for future-ready projects in the Indo-Pacific.
The US-ABC mission gathered major U.S. companies exploring opportunities in the Philippines, highlighting the country’s growing significance in regional security and freedom of navigation. For APECO, the engagements marked a step forward in its bid to be recognized as a strategic site for aerospace, defense, and security investments.
