Downtowns and Urban Centers

[xoelts]

wats an ecozone...is it making cebu an entire business district?

[LordCarnal]

Special Economic Zone

Investors are given perks such as tax holidays if they invest (be it commercial, industry, tourism, etc.) on a particular area that has been designated as a "special economic zone."

As of now, most Special Economic Zones are just districts or certain areas of a province, like here in Cebu, there's the Mactan Economic Zone 1 and 2 where companies (mostly foreign) engaging in export (electronics, furniture, etc.) are located, the Asiatown I.T. Park (a business district for BPOs), and others.

The bill proposes to declare the entire Cebu Province as a special economic zone so that investors wouldn't be limited to the existing smaller ecozones in Cebu (like the ones I just mentioned).

Other examples of Special Economic Zones are Subic and Clark.

My only apprehension about this is that we might see "factories" sprouting everywhere simply because the entire province is already an ecozone. This for me is bad for the environment and might result in pollution and environmental degradation. I'm hoping that even if the entire province will be an ecozone, there should still be strict and proper zoning. So perhaps they will designate a particular area only for heavy industries like shipbuilding, steel plants, etc.. and another area for tourism, another area for BPOs, etc..



..

[LordCarnal]

Originally Posted by jonno

It is a bit strange why Cebu seems to be foolishly following the mistakes of Metro Manila: narrow roads, lack of planning in other infrastructures, polluted cities with smoke belching vehicles...

Making the whole Cebu as a special eco zone is a very good idea.

There are actually lots of things that play together to explain why Cebu has narrow roads, and the "perceived" lack of planning in infrastructure, etc..etc..

One has to consider the terrain of Cebu City. I've learned lately that the "urban area" of Cebu City right now is not totally flat. I happened to be on top of a building somewhere in downtown months ago and I noticed that Ayala Center Cebu and other buildings/hotels in the uptown area seems to be perched on top of a hill although if we go there it would seem as if it's in a flat area. Now I guess this explains why only downtown Cebu has "grid-like" roads. Of course, downtown Cebu dates back to the Spanish era thus the roads there are narrow.

With the limited amount of flat land and with other areas already owned and hoarded, the only solution was to reclaim! Thus in the early 1960s, Cebu got it's first reclamation area -- the Cebu Port Centre or simply North Reclamation Area (NRA). The NRA was envisioned to be a neo-city within a city. Portions of it were designated for the port of Cebu, the new Cebu City Hall, an area for banks, department stores and other commercial centers. It had wide grid-like and tree-lined roads. Its main thoroughfare (Sergio Osmeña Avenue, formerly McArthur Boulevard) is Cebu City's version of Roxas Boulevard in Manila.

The problem was with politics. The developer of the reclamation area, Serging Osmeña, was an archenemy of Ferdinand Marcos. Originally, in order to make sure that only serious investors would get a piece of the NRA, the properties were to be leased only instead of being sold. As part of the leasing agreement, investors were given at least three months within which they should construct a building.

Anyway, to cut the story short, Marcos wrested control of the Reclamation Area, sold the properties in NRA to speculators/hoarders, and the rest is history. It was also because of this that the Public Estates Authority (PEA) now Philippine Reclamation Authority was created. Now, this reclamation area is a haven for squatters, container vans, etc. Except for Sergio Osmeña Avenue, most of the roads there are in a bad condition, gone are the trees in the center islands, gone are the street lamps thanks to you MARCOS!

Hope is not lost though. Right now, the Cebu City Government is developing the South Road Properties (SRP), the biggest reclamation area in the city so far at 330-hectares. This will be Cebu City's future economic driver - a future city within a city with well-planned roads, underground drainage, underground cables for electricity and telecommunications, etc... A 0.9 km tunnel is also currently being constructed to connect the South Coastal Highway in SRP with S.Osmeña Avenue in NRA and then to Ouano Avenue in Mandaue's reclamation area

Reclamation areas are really common here in Cebu. Aside from Cebu City, Mandaue also has it's own reclamation area (New Mandaue City) where the Cebu City International Convention Center is located. Lapu-Lapu City is also planning to reclaim and so with Cordova (the proposed project would be the biggest in Cebu at 3,000 hectares if pursued). Other towns that are part of Metro Cebu such as Naga have also reclaimed land.


SRP, photo by Anakin




image hosted on flickr

[tuxedo_blue]

Originally Posted by arnold_carl

Hope is not lost though. Right now, the Cebu City Government is developing the South Road Properties (SRP), the biggest reclamation area in the city so far at 330-hectares. This will be Cebu City's future economic driver - a future city within a city with well-planned roads, underground drainage, underground cables for electricity and telecommunications, etc... A 0.9 km tunnel is also currently being constructed to connect the South Coastal Highway in SRP with S.Osmeña Avenue in NRA and then to Ouano Avenue in Mandaue's reclamation area

Reclamation areas are really common here in Cebu. Aside from Cebu City, Mandaue also has it's own reclamation area (New Mandaue City) where the Cebu City International Convention Center is located. Lapu-Lapu City is also planning to reclaim and so with Cordova (the proposed project would be the biggest in Cebu at 3,000 hectares if pursued). Other towns that are part of Metro Cebu such as Naga have also reclaimed land.


SRP, photo by Anakin




image hosted on flickr

i don't get it. why would these cities have to reclaim lands? It is really costly doing this rather than buying those unused parcels of land.

[Jimbu]

Originally Posted by espiya7

i don't get it. why would these cities have to reclaim lands? It is really costly doing this rather than buying those unused parcels of land.

Where in Cebu City do you think you can buy a 300 hectares unused parcels of land? And why do you think it's cheaper to buy those lands than to reclaim? I know Tom and his planners won't venture such a huge project without considering all other options and also the cost and return of their investment.

[animasola]

Yep, plus those "empty" parcels might have illegal settlers who are really hard to deal with.

[jonno]

Originally Posted by arnold_carl

Special Economic Zone

Investors are given perks such as tax holidays if they invest (be it commercial, industry, tourism, etc.) on a particular area that has been designated as a "special economic zone."

As of now, most Special Economic Zones are just districts or certain areas of a province, like here in Cebu, there's the Mactan Economic Zone 1 and 2 where companies (mostly foreign) engaging in export (electronics, furniture, etc.) are located, the Asiatown I.T. Park (a business district for BPOs), and others.

The bill proposes to declare the entire Cebu Province as a special economic zone so that investors wouldn't be limited to the existing smaller ecozones in Cebu (like the ones I just mentioned).

Other examples of Special Economic Zones are Subic and Clark.

My only apprehension about this is that we might see "factories" sprouting everywhere simply because the entire province is already an ecozone. This for me is bad for the environment and might result in pollution and environmental degradation. I'm hoping that even if the entire province will be an ecozone, there should still be strict and proper zoning. So perhaps they will designate a particular area only for heavy industries like shipbuilding, steel plants, etc.. and another area for tourism, another area for BPOs, etc..



..

Good point.

[jonno]

Originally Posted by arnold_carl

..............
Hope is not lost though. Right now, the Cebu City Government is developing the South Road Properties (SRP), the biggest reclamation area in the city so far at 330-hectares. This will be Cebu City's future economic driver - a future city within a city with well-planned roads, underground drainage, underground cables for electricity and telecommunications, etc... A 0.9 km tunnel is also currently being constructed to connect the South Coastal Highway in SRP with S.Osmeña Avenue in NRA and then to Ouano Avenue in Mandaue's reclamation area ....

SRP, photo by Anakin




image hosted on flickr

That's good news.
Are those pics above the reclamation area?

When is the completion date?

[rage@cebu]

the reclamation is now complete and is being marketed by CIPC although the SRP still has 1 locator (BIGFOOT) a 40-hectare lot inside SRP is being contested by SM, Ayala's, Robinsons and other real estate giants.

note: SM proposed to buy the entire SRP from the city government but the city refused the offer.

the road networks like the tunnel and access for the causeway from Cebu City Hall are still under construction.

[Jarenz]

It will be good to categorize all municipalities in Cebu in terms of business, industrial, commercial, etc.. before they become a city....

SEZ is a good proposed plan for entire Cebu Province...

[Jimbu]

CCCI confident of getting representatives’ approval

The Freeman
By Ehda M. Dagooc
Monday, December 24, 2007

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is confident that the Cebu Economic Development Zone (CEDZ) proposal will pass through Congress, as the bill is strong enough to withstand criticisms from other lawmakers.

CCCI president Francis O. Monera said that with the support extended by local government executives in Cebu province, such as the Provincial government, and all the Cebuano Congressmen, the bill is seen to be passed into law, although it is expected to become one of the most controversial bills in the country.

CCCI, with the help of German government through the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), has commissioned experts to make technical studies to back up the proposal.

This time, a more detailed study will be started by an audit and financial expert institution, to strengthen the feasibility of the proposal.

However, Monera said even without these technical back-up studies, the bill can stand on its own.

The second set of technical study is expected to give ammunition to the House Bill No. 1319, to create the first-ever province-wide economic zone in the Philippines.

Hearing of this bill is expected to kick off early next year. Monera said while the government is supportive with the concept, CCCI is confident to have the Bill passed into Law.

Still, the second study funded by GTZ will be pursued, and result of this is expected to complete before the bill will set for hearing in the Congress next year.

Considered as the flagship project of CCCI in the last two years, under the leadership of Monera, the concept and objective of the bill was thus developed along the lines of establishing the Cebu Economic Development Zone into a self-sustaining, industrial, commercial and investment center that will put in place a wide-reaching employment and investment generation mechanism.

The CEDZ is envisioned to be a paradigm of an effective and functioning Public-Private Sector Partnership with the private sector taking the lead and government providing infrastructure and institutional support and contributing part of the needed resources.

The first study, which was also funded by GTZ, was conducted by Center for Research and Communication (CRC) of the University of Asia and the Pacific, which dealt more on the feasibility of a province-wide economic zone concept, and how other areas in the world successfully done this kind of concept.

The second study however, will provide the detailed support to which focus will largely include specific figures how the eco-zone concept can propel Cebu’s economic growth and help provide increase revenue generation to each Local Government Unit (LGU) in the province.

[jonno]

Good. The government has to act a bit faster on this taking into consideration that the Senate will study/research/reflect/debate/wait for a sign from above/etc. on this one once it reaches them.

Like arnold carl said; take into consideration the environmental impact meaning ensure there are enough safeguards to protect the environment.

Overall, this is good not only for Cebu but for the whole country. One side effect would be for others outside Cebu to see how "opening up" an economy is by and large necessary for more development.

[Mercato]

Originally Posted by SugarFreak

a time for the Cebu to be like the Hongkong image. surely will come to passed from the little hongkong. not only to the metropolitan area will be urbanize and industrialize but throughout the island/province.

Originally Posted by betro

cebu is not following manila. if they have the budget i think cebu is like singapore or hongkong in the making. cheers to the cebuanos!!!

Cebu Province is 5 times bigger than Hongkong by land area or 10 times bigger than Singapore. Cheers! A great idea whose time has come.

[ofw_cebu]

Originally Posted by Mercato

Cebu Province is 5 times bigger than Hongkong by land area or 10 times bigger than Singapore. Cheers! A great idea whose time has come.

isn't it the plan of CCCI to make Cebu a separate country in the far long future and be independent and progressive as Singapore??? suntok sa buwan ba??

[SleMarKen]

NAGA City Cebu, Reclamation Park








as of last year

[ofw_cebu]

thanks for the pics, it truly made Naga a haven for potential investors . . . if possible, they will entertain the idea of putting a small scale airport to help boost the tourism for the south . . .

[Mercato]

Originally Posted by ofw_cebu

isn't it the plan of CCCI to make Cebu a separate country in the far long future and be independent and progressive as Singapore??? suntok sa buwan ba??

Ambut lang kaha, wa sab ko masayud ana. Apan ayaw lang usa. Daghan man sab tang mga kaigsuonan nga Sugbuanon sa ubang mga parte sa Visayas ug Mindanao. Di sab maayo nga mahilayo ta nila.

Kun buot huna-hunaon, mismong ang Singapore dependent man gihapon sa Malaysia sa pagka-dugay na nilang pagka-buwag. Ana-a gihapon ang ginatawag nga “special relationship” sa duruha sa daghang aspeto sa panginabuhi. Kasagaran sa mga "new migrants" dinhi guikan man sa Malaysia, kasagaran sa "outsourcing" nila adto man himo-a sa Johore Bahru (southernmost Malaysian province) nga kasikbit ra pud sa Singapore. Para nako, maayo mahimutang lang usa ta sa Filipinas. Unya na lang ta manghasi kun modato na giud tag taman nga di na gayud mapugngan…

[tuxedo_blue]

Originally Posted by Jimbu

CCCI confident of getting representatives’ approval

The Freeman
By Ehda M. Dagooc
Monday, December 24, 2007

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is confident that the Cebu Economic Development Zone (CEDZ) proposal will pass through Congress, as the bill is strong enough to withstand criticisms from other lawmakers.

We are breaking the sound barrier when it comes to developments. If this bill will be approved, Cebu will be cruising in Mach 3!

[Ex!lE]

Firm gives proposal to ecozone group


By Jun P. Tagalog
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 04:19pm (Mla time) 01/09/2008


The ecozone study group of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) received only one proposal on how to go about a detailed study of the plan to declare the whole of Cebu as an economic development zone.

However, Gerry Sta. Ana who chairs the ecozone study group refused to divulge the name of the company that submitted the lone proposal.

"It is up to the Small and Medium Enterprise Development for Sustainable Employment Program (SMEDSEP) in the Philippines that is funding the detailed study," Sta. Ana said.

SMEDSEP is a technical cooperation project between the Philippines and the Federal Republic of Germany. It is conceived to help improve the Philippines business and investment climate for the small and medium enterprises.

Last month, Sta. Ana named four firms expressing interest to conduct the detailed study. These were the Manabat Delgado Amper & Co.; Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co.; Isla, Lipanan & Co. and the Punongbayan & Araullo.

Sta. Ana said he is still hopeful that the lone proponent would address the specific details the ecozone group want to be covered.

The ecozone study group wants the firm to study the infrastructure needed, the organizational structure of CEDZA, its effects to the existing economic zones and IT parks, and its impact of the declaration in Cebu.

After its evaluation and approval, the ecozone study group will submit it to SMEDSEP.

SMEDSEP will have the last say on what the company should undertake because it is funding the P600,000 undertaking.

The study is expected to be completed in three months.

The Cebu ecozone plan was hatched by Francis Monera a few months after he became the CCCI president.

In April 2006, the CCCI created the ecozone study group and immediately began its study.

Last July, eight Cebuano congressmen filed House Bill No. 1319 in Congress, which seeks to create the Cebu Economic Development Zone

[rustyboi]

House panel OKs bill creating Cebu economic zone
02/22/2008 | 10:58 PM

Cebu City — The House committee on economic affairs has approved a bill proposing to declare the entire province of Cebu as a special economic zone.

Deputy Speaker Raul V. del Mar, main proponent of the bill, said the measure was approved on Thursday. It will be forwarded to the appropriation and ways and means committees for approval because the bill calls for P1 to P2-billion start-up funds from the national government.

In the meantime, Del Mar said they would sit down with all city and town mayors as well as the Cebu governor to discuss the bill. The consultations will be scheduled as soon as the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), which had initiated the proposal, completes a pre-investment study.

"We don’t want to go to plenary with the bill without the stamp of approval by local government officials. If we don’t get their unanimity, we hope to get at least the majority of the LGUs," Mr. del Mar said.

Francis O. Monera, outgoing president of the CCCI, said he was pleased with the approval.

"I consider this a sub-national strategy. This is a pilot project for economic reforms. If this is successful in Cebu, I’m looking at offering this concept to other areas," he said.

The proposed measure, House Bill 1319, seeks to establish the Cebu Economic Development Zone covering all cities and municipalities in Cebu, creates the Cebu Economic Development Zone Authority with a total authorized capital of P10 billion, and seeks up to P2 billion in start-up funds from the government.

The bill also proposes a better fiscal incentive package to locators, such as an income tax holiday of up to 10 years, and introduces a shift in investment promotions, from government-led to private sector-led.

Mr. Monera said a vital component is the incentives that would be offered to infrastructure developers from the private sector.

"This is designed essentially to allow the private sector to participate in infrastructure development," he said.

Mr. del Mar said he does not expect any objection to the bill. He said the committee on appropriations is expected to help find sources of funds for the authority that will supervise the ecozone.

The Cebu Economic Development Zone is envisioned as a self-sustaining, industrial, commercial and investment center. A master plan will be formulated to include comprehensive land use, bureaucratic streamlining, capacity building and infrastructure projects, investment priorities planning, and marketing and promotions.

The bill was authored by Reps. Raul del Mar and Antonio Cuenco from Cebu City as well as Reps. Eduardo Gullas, Pablo Garcia, Pablo John Garcia, Benhur Salimbangon, Red Durano and Nerissa Soon-Ruiz from the six districts of Cebu province. - Marites S. Villamor/BusinessWorld