In a move to enhance investment prospects outside the National Capital Region (NCR), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. officially designated Xentromall Antipolo as a special economic zone (ecozone) for Information Technology (IT) companies and business process outsourcing (BPO) firms to the area.
The designation, formalized under Proclamation No. 752 on November 22, 2024, has a floor area of 27,622.18 square meters and a lot area of 10,898 square meters.
The President highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to draw investments away from NCR, which has seen significant congestion in recent years.
“This special ecozone will help in attracting investors to the outskirts and spur economic growth in the region,” the President said, underlining his administration’s commitment to fostering development in less urbanized areas.
The proclamation allows IT firms operating within Xentromall to benefit from various fiscal incentives, including income tax holidays. These incentives are designed to lower operational costs for businesses, making it more attractive for them to establish a business in the ecozone.
The President noted that such financial benefits would encourage more companies to invest in Antipolo and contribute to local economic development.
President Marcos Jr. stated that ecozones are essential for fostering economic growth and job creation across the country by establishing more ecozones like Xentromall.
The government aims to create hubs for economic activity that can significantly impact local
communities. “With Ecozones, we are bringing jobs to the people in the area! Instead of people coming into NCR” said PEZA Director General Panga.
Xentromall Antipolo is the second special ecozone established in the city, following the
SMMS IT Center, which was declared a PEZA-accredited IT center in 2013.
This expansion, led by President Marcos, reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to developing multiple economic hubs within the province of Rizal, further diversifying investment opportunities and enhancing regional competitiveness.
As Xentromall prepares to welcome new businesses and opportunities, workers are optimistic about the positive changes that the new ecozone, a key initiative of President Marcos, will bring to their community.
The establishment of Xentromall Antipolo as a special ecozone is part of President Marcos’ initiative to bolster the investment landscape in Antipolo and its surrounding areas. It not only signifies a strategic move to alleviate congestion in urban centers but also reinforces the government’s broader goals of economic development and job creation throughout the Philippines.
With these efforts, the Marcos administration is positioning the country as an attractive destination for both local and foreign investors, ultimately contributing to sustainable growth and prosperity for all Filipinos.
