INVEST DIGEST
1st Semester | 2022
The Official Newsletter of the Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Inc.
Palaya Shrimp Farm:
An Innovative Aquaculture
Business Venture in Zambales
Page 6
Approved
CL ROLL-IT Projects
Reach ₱2B in 2022
photo from DPWH-3
A total of thirty-three (33)
road projects in Central Luzon
worth ₱2,027,138,000 have
been approved and funded
under the Roads Leveraging
Linkages of Industry and Trade
(ROLL-IT) Program, which is
now on its sixth and last year
of implementation.
The convergence program
of the Department of Trade
and Industry (DTI) and the
Department of Public Works
continued on page 2
ANZAP Falls:
A Majestic Natural Wonder
of Tarlac
Page 8
© Clark International Airport
CRK Launches New
Passenger Terminal
The Clark International Airport (CRK) officially launched
its new passenger terminal building envisioned to be Asia’s
next premier gateway.
On May 2, 2022, a ceremonial water cannon salute was
given to the first departing and arriving flights from
Jetstar Asia and Cebu Pacific Air.
With a total investment of nearly ₱12.55 billion, the new
terminal boasts of a 110,000-square-meter area featuring
state-of-the-art facilities and superior accessibility for
both domestic and international travelers. It has four
floor levels, 18 aero bridges, 3,881 car parking spaces,
20 bus parking spaces and is designed to accommodate
8 million passengers per annum that will help decongest
the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila.
Passengers departing and arriving in Clark will now use
the new terminal.
The new terminal has contactless features for passenger
safety and autonomy which include self-service check-in
kiosks and bag-drop systems. On top of these, they also
have all-gender restrooms, nursing stations, multi-faith
continued on page 5
 2 Invest Digest | 2022 1st Semester

Approved CL ROLL-IT Projects Reach ₱2B in 2022

from page 1

and Highways (DPWH), more commonly
known under the banner ROLL-IT, was
established in 2016 through a Memorandum
of Agreement (MOA) between the two
agencies to develop infrastructure projects
leading to key industries and priority
economic and manufacturing zones in the
country. The MOA established the working
arrangement between DTI and DPWH for
the joint undertaking which envisioned to
fuel the surge of domestic and foreign direct
investments through road projects funded
within the Duterte Administration from 2016
to 2022.
Since 2018, when the first batch of projects
endorsed by Region 3’s ROLL-IT Regional
Technical Working Group (RTWG) were
approved and implemented, the program
saw the completion of seventeen (17)
road projects worth ₱1,012,077,000 from
the provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan,
Pampanga and Tarlac.

COMPLETED PROJECTS as of March 2022* TOTAL AMOUNT REMARKS

AURORA
Improvement of Dingalan-Umiray Provincial Road connecting Brgy. Umiray,
Brgy. Ibona and Brgy. Matawe DTI Shared Service Facility (SSF) and Dingalan- Approved under
1 ₱60,000,000
Gabaldon National Road in support of SSF cooperator, SME & beneficiaries GAA FY 2019
Fruits and Coconut By-Products, Dingalan, Aurora
BATAAN
Improvement of Road connecting junction Layac-Balanga-Mariveles Port
Approved under
2 Road to Brgy. Pto. Rivas in support of Fish Processing Industry, Balanga City, ₱48,000,000
GAA FY 2018
Bataan
Improvement of Road connecting Roman Expressway to Upper Tuyo in Approved under
3 ₱20,000,000
support of Agribusiness, Balanga City, Bataan GAA FY 2018
Improvement of Road connecting Gen. Lim to Roman Expressway in support Approved under
4 ₱100,000,000
to Agri-based Industries, Orion, Bataan GAA FY 2018
Improvement of Road connecting Junction Layac-Balanga-Mariveles Port
Approved under
5 Road to Brgy. Daan Bago in support of Fish Processing Industry, Orion, ₱45,000,000
GAA FY 2018
Bataan
Construction of Road Connecting Gov. JJ Linao Road to Sitio Alapat in
Approved under
6 Support to Shared Service Facility for Engineered Bamboo Production, ₱10,000,000
GAA FY 2019
Banawang, Bagac, Bataan
B U LACAN
Rehabilitation/ Improvement of Tabe-Tiaong Municipal Road Connecting
Approved under
7 Balagtas-Guiguinto Bypass Road in support of Transport and Logistics, ₱15,000,000
GAA FY 2018
Others: Warehouses, Industrial estates, Guiguinto, Bulacan
Construction/ Improvement of Longos Provincial Road (with Bridge
Approved under
8 Component) and Carillo-Abulalas Farm to Market Road at Barangay Abulalas ₱52,000,000
GAA FY 2018
in support of Horticulture Businesses Hagonoy, Bulacan
Rehabilitation/ Improvement of Pandi-Angat Road Connecting Gen. Alejo
Approved under
9 Santos Highway and Balagtas-Pandi Road and Sta. Clara-Pandi Road in ₱60,000,000
GAA FY 2018
Support of Furniture and Garments, Pandi, Bulacan
Rehabilitation/ Improvement of San Ildefonso-RR Sta.-Akle Road connecting
Old Cagayan Valley Road and Pulong Sampaloc-Akle-Buasaw Road in Approved under
10 ₱180,000,000
Support of the Agri-businesses in San Ildefonso, DRT, and San Miguel towns, GAA FY 2018
San Ildefonso, Bulacan
PAM PAN GA
Widening of Philippine Export Zone (PEZA) Road and construction of road
connecting Angeles-Magalang Road to East Circumferential Road in support Approved under
11 ₱53,515,000
of handicraft, furniture, manufacturing and garments and textile industries, GAA FY 2019
Angeles City, Pampanga

Photo from DPWH-3

 Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Inc. 3

COMPLETED PROJECTS as of March 2022* TOTAL AMOUNT REMARKS

PAM PAN GA
Improvement and Construction of Road connecting West Circumferential
Road to East Mega Dike Bacolor Side going to San Fernando and Bacolor Approved under
12 ₱25,000,000
in support of furniture, garments and textiles and processed meat products GAA FY 2020
industries, Angeles City, Pampanga
Improvement and Widening of Zeppelin St. and Clark Perimeter Road
Approved under
13 connecting MacArthur Highway to West Circumferential Road in support of ₱35,000,000
GAA FY 2020
IT-BPM, hotels, garments and textiles industries, Angeles City, Pampanga
Clark North Access Road from MacArthur Highway to P. Balagtas Avenue, Approved under
14 ₱35,000,000
Mabalacat City, Pampanga GAA FY 2020
TAR LAC
Bamban Seamless Road, Bamban, Tarlac Approved under
15 ₱119,800,000
GAA FY 2020
Bamban Seamless Road, Bamban, Tarlac (Package 2) Approved under
16 ₱80,000,000
GAA FY 2021
Bamban Seamless Road, Bamban, Tarlac (Package 3) Approved under
17 ₱73,762,000
GAA FY 2021

*Source: DPWH-3

Sixteen (16) projects remain to be completed
this year with a total amount of
₱315,061,000 approved under the General
Appropriations Act (GAA) for fiscal year
2022. Most of the projects are continuing
appropriations classified for multi-year
funding while five (5) are new projects
from Dinalupihan, Bataan and San Felipe,
Zambales. A total of ₱700 million have been
used to fund eleven (11) of these projects
in previous years, with the ongoing projects
amounting to ₱1,015,061,000 to include
the amount approved under the GAA for this
year.

PROJECTS APPROVED Under GAA FY 2022* AMOUNT

AURORA
Calabgan to Bianoan Road connecting to Aurora Pacific Economic Zone (APECO) and Baler-
1 Casiguran National Road in support of APECO Locators and SSF Cooperator, SME & Beneficiaries, ₱5,000,000
Casiguran, Aurora
BATAAN
Access Road from Hermosa Economic and Industrial Zone connecting Palihan-Mabiga-SBMA,
2 ₱10,000,000
Hermosa, Bataan
Opening and Construction of Road in Brgy San Simon to Brgy Tucop Agro-industrial Area,
3 ₱10,000,000
Dinalupihan, Bataan
4 Opening and Construction of road in Brgy. Pita leading to Agro-industrial Area, Dinalupihan, Bataan ₱10,000,000
Opening and Construction of road in Brgy. Torres-New San Jose-Pagalangang Agricultural Area,
5 ₱10,000,000
Dinalupihan, Bataan
Opening and Construction of Road in Brgy. Tubo-Tubo leading to Agro-Tourism Area, Dinalupihan,
6 ₱10,000,000
Bataan
Bagac-Mariveles By-pass Road connecting Bagac-Mariveles Road to Freeport Area of Bataan in
7 ₱30,000,000
support to Mix-used Industry- Electronics, Garments, Fashion Bags, FAB, Mariveles, Bataan
B U LACAN
8 Brgy. Batia, Bocaue to Brgy. Malibong Matanda to Malibong Bata Road, Pandi, Bulacan ₱3,500,000
9 Brgy. Buisan, Bustos to Brgy. Bagbaguin-Brgy. Manatal, Pandi, Bulacan ₱2,500,000
Matungao-Guiguinto Provincial Road connecting McArthur Highway and Bantayan Road in support
10 of Electronic Manufacturing, Chemicals, Furniture and Garments, and Agribusiness Industries in ₱51,500,000
Barangays Malis, Panginay, Poblacion, Tabe, and Tuktukan, Guiguinto, Bulacan
PAM PAN GA
Angeles City Toll Exit Connecting NLEX and SCTEX in support of Handicraft, Furniture,
11 ₱10,000,000
Manufacturing, Hotel, IT-BPM, Garments and Textile Industries, Angeles City, Pampanga
continued on next page
Photo from DPPWH--3

4 Invest Digest | 2022 1st Semester

Approved CL ROLL-IT Projects Reach ₱2B in 2022

from page 3

PROJECTS APPROVED Under GAA FY 2022* AMOUNT

PAM PAN GA
12 Camachilles-Sapang-Biabas-Bical Road, Mabalacat City, Pampanga ₱15,000,000
East Circumferential Road connecting MacArthur Highway to Angeles-Magalang Road in support of
13 ₱15,000,000
Handicraft, Furniture and Garments, and Food Processing Industries, Angeles City, Pampanga
NLEX-SCTEX Connecting Road in support of Furniture, IT-BPM, Hotels, Garments and Textile
14 ₱17,561,000
Industries, Angeles City, Pampanga
15 Sta. Ines-Atlu Bola Road, Mabalacat City, Pampanga ₱15,000,000
ZAMBALES
16 Concreting of Brgy. Manglicmot to Brgy. Balincaguing, San Felipe, Zambales ₱100,000,000
TOTAL ₱315,061,000

*Source: DPWH-3

Through the ROLL-IT program, six out of the
seven provinces in Region 3 have benefitted
from the accelerated infrastructure
development and inclusive economic growth
which the program intended as part of the
Build Build Build project which aims to
address the huge infrastructure backlog in the
country. The amount spent on the industry
road projects in the region is just a fraction of
the ₱8.2 trillion or 7% of the country’s Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) allotted for public
infrastructure expenditure from 2016 to
2022. - Rya Bianca G. Artates, DTI-3 Regional
Office

Petron Eyes Completion of Limay

Refinery this Year
Petron Corporation expressed optimism
that it will complete the construction of
the country’s only remaining refinery, the
184-megawatt power plant in Limay,
Bataan.
The Philippine Power News in its online
post said the Petron plant, which produces
180,000 barrels per day, will be completed
in the second half of the year, in line with its
refinery efficiency program.
Petron is now constructing new power
facilities and structures to replace some of its
old generators, increase steam production,
and expand power generation capacity from
140 MW to 184 MW.
The Petron report said the estimated total
cost of the project is approximately ₱12
billion. New power plant facilities had been
started in 2019 and are expected to be
completed in the second half of 2022.
The Bataan refinery, according to the Petron
website, has a crude oil distillation capacity of
180,000 barrels per day. It processes crude
oil into a range of white fuel products such
as gasoline, diesel, LPG, jet fuel, kerosene,
naptha and petrochemical feed stock like
propylene. - Greg Refraccion, Bataan Provincial
Information Office

photo from https://www.flickr.com/photos/114934873@N07/51830282394/

Photos from Clark International Airport website and Facebook Page

Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Inc. 5

CRK Launches New Passenger Terminal

from page 1

prayer rooms, and the country’s first-ever

lounge dedicated exclusively for Overseas
Filipino Workers (OFWs).

Department of Transportation (DOTr)

Secretary Arthur Tugade said that the project,
completed amid the COVID-19 pandemic
and other challenges, is a living proof that if
everyone works together and jointly commit
themselves to provide a life of comfort and as Asia’s next premier gateway, but soon as a
convenience for all, nothing will be impossible. provider of jobs to thousands of Filipinos,” he
added.
Meanwhile, Bases Conversion and
Development Authority (BCDA) Officer- Operated by the Luzon International Premiere
In-Charge Aristotle Batuhan expressed his Airport Development (LIPAD) Corporation,
gratitude to the 3,000 workers, engineers, the new CRK Terminal is a joint project of the
designers and architects who worked DOTr and the BCDA. This is the first hybrid
tirelessly on the new terminal, even thru public-private partnership under the “Build,
the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic. Build, Build” (BBB) program started and
“Through their sacrifice, the new Clark completed during the Duterte administration.
terminal building is set to soar high, not just - Rhia C. Laxa, DTI-Pampanga

Solar Philippines Locates in Nueva Ecija

Solar Philippines, the largest solar energy
provider in the country, has chosen the
province of Nueva Ecija as the location of
its subsidiary, Solar Philippines Nueva Ecija
(SPNEC). SPNEC is developing a 500MW
solar power plant in the barangays of Las
Piñas and Sinasajan in Peñaranda. Said
locations have good levels of irradiance
and adequate available land, making them
conducive to solar power generation.
The development of the project, with a
declared total investment of ₱1 billion and 20
employed personnel, will be phased. Phase 1
of its development, with a total capacity of
225MW, started in 2021 and is expected
to be completed this year. The remaining
275MW will be developed in the succeeding
years.
SPNEC will have an approximately
10-kilometer long, 230 kV transmission line
from the project site to the Cabanatuan
Substation of the National Grid Corporation
of the Philippines (NGCP).
Once completed, this solar farm will produce
a cheaper and more reliable source of
electricity for Central Luzon and will favorably
position the region for a smooth transition
into the country’s renewable energy future.
- Honeylen Marie P. Fernando, DTI-Nueva Ecija

photo from http://www.solarphilippines.ph/

 6 Invest Digest | 2022 1st Semester

Palaya Shrimp Farm: An

Innovative Aquaculture
Business Venture in Zambales
By Jennifer Yap, Zambales Tourism Office

The farm aims to provide the cleanest and freshest shrimp

sustainably farmed using the best aquaculture practices while
promoting inclusive growth within the community.

Photos from Palaya Shrimp Farm Facebook Page


In the Philippines, shrimp production has
been mainly located in Negros and the
Panay Islands in Central and Western
Visayas. This has changed recently as shrimp
production has been growing and increasing
in other areas, such as Central Luzon. The
municipalities of San Felipe, Cabangan and
Palauig in Zambales are now hosts to shrimp
and prawn hatcheries.
Aquaculture has experienced the shift from
milkfish to prawn due to profitability in
shrimp farming. Shrimp aquaculture is under
pressure to increase its production to meet
the demand from a growing population.
With this principle, a young entrepreneur
and businessman came out to develop a
Shrimp Farm that is nestled between the
mountains and the sea in Palauig, Zambales.
Palaya Shrimp Farm is strategically located
at Barangay Macarang, Palauig, Zambales.
This 26-hectare farm was developed by its
President and CEO, Mr. Ignacio Colesio on
May 20, 2020. The farm aims to provide the
cleanest and freshest shrimp sustainably
farmed using the best aquaculture practices
while promoting inclusive growth within the
community.
“There’s a huge disparity between the current
capacity and the potential to supply in the
Philippines. We produce 60,000 metric tons
while other places like India, despite having
only 20% of shoreline compared to our
country’s archipelago, can produce as much
as 600,000 metric tons annually,” according
Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Inc. 7
to Mr. Colesio. He added that there are a lot
of opportunities locally with the presence
of technology, education, and training that
can help in raising the bar in the standards
of shrimp farming and make it a booming but
sustainable industry.
To achieve its vision of producing the
cleanest and freshest shrimp globally, Palaya
Shrimp Farm uses a filtration system that
provides cleaner seawater in shrimp tanks.
It sources its pond water directly from the
West Philippine Sea before it undergoes an
intricate and tedious filtering process.
Aside from producing the best quality of
litopenaeus vannamei shrimp, the farm also
has cabin and accommodation facilities.
Each cabin has a private pool, living room,
kitchen, dining, bath and shower, and
bedrooms that can accommodate 10-12
persons. The farm will be open for tourists
and guests seeking to enjoy first-hand the
“Dala Experience” or the method of catching
shrimps and other farm-related recreational
activities. Guests can indulge in farm-to-
table dishes that are freshly harvested.
At present, Palaya Shrimp Farm is still open
to business partners and shareholders who
would like to invest and be part of Palaya
Ventures.
 8 Invest Digest | 2022 1st Semester

The sun had not shown itself yet when we decided to start our
journey on the way to one strong proof of the beauty of nature in
Tarlac.

My entire body is tingling with excitement. I cannot help but to be

jittery knowing that on this day, I will be able to see the highest
waterfall in the province, known by many as the ANZAP Twin Falls.
This waterfall has an estimated solid height of 200 feet, which can
be compared to a building with four stories.

ANZAP Falls:
A Majestic Natural Wonder of Tarlac
By Leyana Seacor, Provincial Government of Tarlac

Photos courtesy of: Pao Beltran & Vlade Marquez


The place welcomed us with a cold embrace
of the refreshing wind. The feeling, as well
as the climate and scenery, would definitely
take you back to Baguio City; supported by
the several pine trees in the place, which
were a product of the ASEAN New Zealand
Afforestation Project (ANZAP). Surely the
only thing that is missing for that complete
“Baguio Experience” are the strawberries!
It is crucial to be guided by the locals on the
way to the twin falls to prevent the possibility
of being lost in the middle of the wilderness.
This is why we made sure that, aside from
our fellow travelers who have already been
there a few times, we also asked some locals
from the area to be our tour guides.
We officially started going down the
mountains after a short prayer for our
safety and a few warnings and reminders
for all hikers. It was revitalizing to see all
the greenery surrounding me and to pass
through all the cave-like bamboo trees along
the trail. I can vouch that anyone who will
pass through those trees would be tempted
enough to set up their own hammocks while
just enjoying the magnificent surroundings.
After more than an hour of hiking and a
bucket of sweat, the wind changed; it was
stronger and colder. The sounds of hundreds
of different birds were clashing with the loud
sound of the water falling 200 feet high from
Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Inc. 9
the peak of the twin falls. With our continuous
steps, finally, we reached the breathtaking
ANZAP Twin Falls. Silence dominated the
place where we stood. No one dared to say
anything; stunned, we stood there in awe,
our gaze fixed on the enchanting twin falls.
The water falling strongly from the top is very
clear and is extra cold. It is surrounded by a
lot of plants of various families and different
rock formations, which add to its majestic
ambiance. Everything was so peaceful
and serene. The scenery itself served as a
reward for all the hikers after their long and
tiring journey. Surely, the beauty of nature
is breathtaking, and I cannot describe how
lucky we, especially the Tarlaqueños, are to
be given the chance to breathe and live in
this place.
As a writer, one of the most challenging
things to do is to put into a few words the
beauty and majesty of a place. I am certain
that there would not be enough exact words
that would give justice to this enchanting
place in Tarlac, but if I will try to describe
the ANZAP Twin Falls in a few words — this
place is definitely a wonder.
10 Invest Digest | 2022 1st Semester

Images from https://rockwellcenternepoangeles.com/

Rockwell Center Lands in Nepo Angeles

Rockwell Land Inc. (RLI), the real estate arm of the Lopez group, is set to launch this year its
first Rockwell Center outside of Metro Manila, the “Rockwell Center Nepo” in Angeles City.

In its 25 years of being in the real estate

development business, Rockwell Land is
known for developing thriving communities
with diverse real estate portfolio. The project
is a joint venture between Rockwell Land and
Juan D. Nepomuceno Realty Group.

It is located near prominent landmarks such

as Entec 1 & 2, Holy Angel University and
Nepo Mart, right in the heart of the city. The
4.5-hectare property will feature 78% open
space for a functional yet relaxed community
for all ages. It will house four mid-rise
residential buildings and retail areas. Rockwell
Nepo will also have the second Power Plant
Mall which will have several retail and food Its first residential building is targeted for
and beverage brands that offer a similar taste turnover by the fourth quarter of 2025 and
of its flagship establishment. It will also offer the succeeding buildings will be launched in
world-class amenities to its future residents the following years.
such as swimming pools, a function room, a
fitness gym and a multipurpose court, as well This latest addition to the booming real estate
as ample room for fresh air with the great development in the province will cement
lawn and pocket gardens, dedicating 70% of Pampanga as the next economic center in
the property to open spaces. Luzon. - Rhia Laxa, DTI-Pampanga

Wilcon Depot
Opens 2nd Store in
Nueva Ecija
Wilcon Depot, one of the country’s leading
home improvement and construction supply
retailer, opened Wilcon Depot Gapan City on
April 29, 2022. Located on an 11,670-square-
meter property at Purok Proper II, Santo
Cristo Norte in the said town, this is Wilcon’s
75th store nationwide and the second store
in the province after the company’s first
entry with the opening of Wilcon Depot
Cabanatuan in 2017.
The new store opening is part of the
company’s ongoing 5-year store expansion
campaign, #FlyingHighTo100, which aims to
have 100 store-network nationwide by 2025,
barring any unexpected external factors.
With an investment amounting to ₱87.9
million, the retail outlet was able to generate
122 employment opportunities for the locals.
Residents of Gapan, nearby towns, as well as
Bulakenyos can now shop in its 7,000 square
meters of selling room filled with thousands
of large, high-quality and extensive solution
alternatives ranging from tiles, sanitary wares,
plumbing, home furniture, residence-making
materials, hardware, electrical, appliances,
and other do-it-yourself goods coming from
regional and worldwide manufacturers.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was graced by
Wilcon Depot President and CEO Lorraine
Belo-Cincochan and Wilcon Depot SEVP-
COO Rosemarie Bosch-Ong together with
industry partners. - Honeylen Marie Fernando,
DTI-Nueva Ecija
Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Inc. 11
AFAB Contributes
₱233.1M to
National Coffers
The Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan
(AFAB) contributed ₱233.1 million to the
national government from its dividend and
taxes collected in 2021.
In a news statement posted on AFAB’s official
Facebook page, it stated that if broken down,
AFAB remitted ₱73.5 million of this as part
of its dividends, ₱23.2 million came from
income tax and ₱136.3 million from other
taxes.
“This success is the result of the combined
diligence and dedication of the investors,
workers, and management of FAB,” AFAB
Administrator Emmanuel Pineda said. “It is a
testament that although the challenge to our
economy caused by the pandemic continues,
AFAB does not stop fulfilling its goal of
providing meaningful assistance for the town
of Mariveles and the province of Bataan,” he
added.
The Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) is the
only freeport in the Manila Bay area and is
considered as the fastest-growing in the
Philippines. It is an ideal transshipment hub,
strategically located at a prime transit point
for domestic, regional, and global shipping.
The FAB is 90.6 kilometers away from Subic
Freeport which is equivalent to a one-hour
drive. Clark Freeport is 117 kilometers away
from the FAB, a quick hour and a half’s trip by
land. It takes less than 20 minutes to travel
by air to these freeports from FAB. - Mhike
Cigaral, Bataan Provincial Information Office
12 Invest Digest | 2022 1st Semester

Chinese Ambassador
H.E. Huang Xilian Visits Bataan
The Ambassador of China to the Philippines,
His Excellency Huang Xilian, visited the
Chinese companies located inside the
Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) in Mariveles
and paid a courtesy visit to Bataan Governor
Albert Garcia at The Bunker at the Capitol,
Balanga City on April 18, 2022.

During his visit to the Dinginin 2×660

MW coal-fired power station in Mariveles,
Ambassador Xilian confirmed that a Chinese
enterprise is set to build the country’s largest
power plant in Bataan.
The Unit 1 of the project has been generating
power while Unit 2 is expected to be
synchronized to the grid around the corner.
Upon completion, the Ambassador added, it
will be the largest power plant and the first
one to apply super-critical power-generation
technology in the Philippines. The Chinese
envoy said that once put into full operation,
it will be capable of distributing 5.8 billion
kWh of electricity every year, a huge relief
to the Filipinos suffering from the shortage
of power.
The project has so far created 22,151 working
opportunities to the people of Bataan and it
was built with a vision of energy conservation
and environmental protection. Its on-site
equipment can ensure long-term and stable
power output while conducting qualified
treatment of harmful gases generated during
production.
“Applause for the China-Philippines
infrastructure cooperation. I wish the two
countries could carry out better green energy
cooperation in future to satisfy the need of
Philippine people,” Ambassador Xilian said.
On his courtesy visit, H.E. Xilian reiterated
his commitment to be a strong partner of
the province, promising to bring technology
investments in the future, as he donated 200
tablets amounting to ₱1.6 million to grade
school children from seven public schools in
Balanga City. The ambassador commended
the Bataeños for the friendship offered to
his fellow Chinese citizens who haven’t been
back to China for the past two and a half
years and have been working and living in the
country alongside Filipino friends.
For his part, Governor Garcia expressed his
gratitude to Ambassador Xilian for helping
Bataan in its fight against COVID-19 through
their vaccine donations. “All around the world,
the phrase ‘fall of Bataan’ is very famous but
we have been working on the rise of Bataan’s
economy, providing jobs for our people so
they can have better lives. China has helped
us a lot in the rise of Bataan,” he said.
continued on page 13

CLGCFI Spearheads Updating and
Completion of Business and Investment
Data of Central Luzon
Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,
the Central Luzon Growth Corridor
Foundation, Inc. (CLGCFI) headed by Tarlac
Governor Susan Yap, in partnership with the
Department of Trade and Industry-Region 3
(DTI-3) and the Board of Investments (BOI),
spearheaded the updating and completion of
the business and investment-related data of
the region. This was first agreed upon during
the CLGCFI’s 1st Quarter Meeting for 2021
held on March 18, 2021 via Zoom.
This project includes the updating and
completion of the Cost of Doing Business
(CODB) of the cities and municipalities of the
region, Ready for Occupancy (RFO) Location
Database, Project Offers with proposals,
Provincial Fact Sheets and Provincial
Investment Promotion Plans. These data are
Chinese Ambassador Visits Bataan
Some Chinese companies were among the
first locators at the Freeport Area of Bataan
and became one of the biggest employers in
the freeport.
Governor Garcia also highlighted how China’s
efforts at alleviating poverty have become
an inspiration. “Their rapid economic growth
made a hundred million people in their
country level up and become the working
class,” he added.
Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Inc. 13
vital in promoting the region and in providing
assistance to investors looking at Central
Luzon as a destination for business.
As of May 2022, the initial set of updated
data has been submitted to the BOI for
inclusion in their national databases. It has
also formed part of the IMPACT I.D. (Impact,
Innovation, and Digitalization) project of the
Industry Development Division (IDD) of the
DTI-3 under the Establishment of Provincial
Investment Databases for investors.
The regional network of Central Luzon
Investment Promotion Officers is tasked
to regularly update the data to ensure that
business and investment-related information
of Region 3 is readily available for prospective
investors. - Rona O. Dizon, CLGCFI
from page 12
The governor also mentioned the creation of
the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge that will
bring further economic development not only
to Bataan and Cavite, but also to neighboring
regions.
With its strategic location, Bataan as a
peninsula is an ideal launchpad for different
industries to thrive. - Mhike Cigaral, Bataan
Provincial Information Office, and Bataan
Provincial Tourism Office
14 Invest Digest | 2022 1st Semester

Tarlaqueño Artists Grace First Ever

Kanlahi Bamboo Arts and Crafts
Design Competition
During the celebration of the 6th Kanlahi
Festival on March 7, 2022, artists from all
over the province of Tarlac showcased their
talents by displaying their artworks at the
Capitol Center.
The Bamboo Arts and Crafts Design
Competition is an initiative of the Tarlac
Provincial Bamboo Industry Development
Council (TPBIDC) made possible through the
Provincial Government of Tarlac. The activity
was proposed by the Philippine Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Tarlac and
the Provincial Cooperative and Enterprise
Development Office (PCEDO), headed by
Ms. Marvi Dela Cruz.
The competition gathered a total of
36 bamboo crafts and artworks from
Tarlaqueño artists that included Gifts and
Home Decors, Furniture and Furnishing, and
Fashion Accessories and Wearables, with
winners in the following categories:

Professional Category
Jherard Balgos | Lampshade Mountain 1st Place, People’s Choice Moncada
Joselito Sulayao | Bluetooth Speaker 2nd Place Camiling
Michael Rafael | Bamboo Mahogany Clock 3rd Place Camiling
Nick Corpuz | Vase TPBIDC’s Choice Camiling
Randy Lindo | Emperor’s Lounge Governor’s Choice Tarlac City
Amateur Category
Breih Pascua | Daloy 1st Place Victoria
Mark Brian Pascual | Isa and Hiraya 2nd Place, TPBIDC’s Choice Pura
Oscar Tanedo | Likha ni Ka-Oca 3rd Place, People’s Choice, Governor’s Choice Gerona

PCEDO Head Marvi Dela Cruz saw the
activity as an opportunity to promote the
province’s bamboo industry, not just as a
source of income and livelihood for the
Tarlaqueños, but also to pave the way for
their vision of earning the title “Bamboo
Capital of Central Luzon” and the Philippines
in the near future. Ms. Dela Cruz added
that the biggest success of the event was
the discovery of the Tarlaqueños’ creativity
and talent in creating artworks made from
Zambales Launches Wine Industry
Promotion Initiative
On January 31, 2022, the Provincial
Government of Zambales (PGZ), through
the Zambales Tourism Office (ZTO) and the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),
launched the Tara Mag-unwine sa Zambales,
a project aimed at promoting locally-made
wines by making them available for sale at
various tourism establishments. The launch
was attended by DTI-3 Regional Director
Leonila Baluyut, Provincial Tourism Officer
Maria Domitela Mora, and Sundowners
Villas Zambales General Manager Ricardo
Dimayuga. Sundowners is the first tourism
establishment to sell Zambales-made wines
under this initiative.
Winemaking is an age-old industry as
recorded in history through songs and
stories. It requires a lot of time, skill, and
patience. The best produce has to be selected
carefully, prepared thoroughly, and stored
safely to ensure that the natural process of
fermentation produces top quality wine.
The main produce used for wines made in
Zambales are the Roselle and Mango. Roselle
is a species of flowering plant in the genus
Hibiscus and is native to Africa. Flower buds
Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Inc. 15
bamboo.
After this year’s success, more artists are
expected to join the next celebration of
the Kanlahi Festival. The Bamboo Arts and
Crafts Design Competition will be conducted
annually to promote the culture and the
rich natural resources of the province and
to encourage and showcase the talents of
the Tarlaqueños. - Leyana Seacor, Provincial
Government of Tarlac
of this plant are cooked with sugar and left
to ferment resulting to wine that is fragrant
and sweet. Banking on Zambales’ reputation
for having the best-tasting mangoes in the
Philippines, the province also makes wine
from Dinamulag mangoes which have a
distinctively sweet and bright flavor.
The local winemaking industry in Zambales is
supported by the local governments and the
DTI. A Shared Service Facility (SSF) has been
granted to two (2) Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises (MSMEs), the Pinagrealan
Lauis Upland Farmer’s Association and
the Nagkaisang Samahang Magsasaka at
Mangingisda MPC. DTI-Zambales provides
entrepreneurship training to develop the
skills of the local wine makers, assistance
in product development and packaging to
ensure that the final product meets high
standards, and exposure by facilitating the
participation of MSMEs in local and regional
trade fairs.
In the coming year, DTI aims to have
Zambales-made wines available in all resorts
in the province. - Kevin L. Nacabuan, PTIPO-
Zambales
16 Invest Digest | 2022 1st Semester
Tarlac LEIPO
Conducts
Workshop with
PEZA, SCAD
The Provincial Local Economic and Investment
Promotions Office (LEIPO), together with the
Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)
and the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development
(SCAD), conducted a workshop-forum for
the 18 Local Government Units of Tarlac at
the Bulwagang Kanlahi of the Diwa ng Tarlac
on May 19, 2022.
The forum entitled “Developing Economic
Zones in Tarlac Province” was participated
in by the Investment Promotions Officer,
the Planning and Development Coordinator,
the Assessor, the Tourism Officer, the
Business Permit and Licensing Officer, the
Legal Officer, and the Council’s Committee
Chairmen on Agrarian Reform, Zoning and
Land Use, Trade Industry, Commerce and
Economic Affairs, and Appropriations and
Ways and Means of each local government
unit.
In Governor Susan Yap’s message read
by Board Member Joy Gilbert Lamorena,
she mentioned the “Ambisyon Natin
2040”, a long-term vision of the Duterte
administration aimed at empowering every
Filipino to achieve individual excellence.
Yap likewise said that the economic zone
development is focused on the liberalization
and the involvement of the private sector.
Republic Act 7916, also known as the Special
Economic Zone Act of 1995 enabled
the private sector to participate in the
development and management of economic
zones. It is through this act where PEZA was
established as a government agency primarily
tasked in promoting investments, providing
assistance and facilitating incentives for
investors and firms within the Special
Economic Zones.
“A few weeks ago, I also attended and
welcomed our guests from the different
international and multi-national companies
as part of the World Trade Tourism Council
Investment Tour in Clarkfield, Pampanga. It is
a great opportunity for provinces like Tarlac
and Pampanga to showcase our investment
potentials, strengths and capabilities
including untapped resources that will
promote and provide an additional tourism
investment niche,” she said in her message.
For her part, PEZA Director General Charito
B. Plaza, in her video message, thanked
Yap and the organizers of the forum for
being invited to discuss the importance of
economic zone development to our growth
and progress.
Frances Margaret Canlas, the LEIPO Head
of the Provincial Government of Tarlac,
thanked PEZA Director General Plaza, PEZA
Deputy Director General for Policy and
Planning, PEZA OIC-Zone Administrator
of Baguio City Emmanuel Cortero, PEZA
Division Chief for Regulation and Processing
Ludwig Daza, SCAD Executive Director Atty.
Carmina Fabros and other SCAD and PEZA
participants for their support to the activity.
- Arvin Cabalu, Tarlac Provincial Information
Office

DTI-3 IPOs Join Training on
Investments Promotion
Regional and provincial investment promotion
officers (IPOs) of the Department of Trade
and Industry (DTI) Region 3 participated
in the Capability Building Training on
Investments Promotion in the New Normal
held on May 19, 2022 at Best Western Metro
Clark, Angeles City.
Organized by the Board of Investments (BOI),
the training was customized for DTI Region
3 front liners who lead the local government
units (LGUs) in investment promotion. With
focus on investment generation, the activity
aimed to capacitate the IPOs on how to
package the region and the provinces’
competitive advantages to attract big ticket
investments.
DTI-3 Regional Director Leonila Baluyut
opened the activity with a call to action
addressed to the participants, prompting
them to capitalize on the policy tools which
lifted restrictions of participation for foreign
investors in domestic enterprises and public
services. Director Baluyut also cited the need
for the IPOs’ readiness to draw investors by
banking on the region’s opportunities and
providing updated and accurate investment
data.
BOI Domestic and Investments Promotion
Service (DIPS) Director Maria Rosario
Dominguez provided an overview of the
seminar. With the marked changes brought
about by the pandemic in the investment
landscape, she emphasized the need for IPOs
to make themselves felt in the virtual world.
She also noted the importance of innovation
and use of technology in getting investment
leads and providing prompt assistance, adding
Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Inc. 17
that a number of foreign investors assisted
by BOI have expressed interest in locating in
Central Luzon.
As part of the training, the participants from
the 7 DTI provincial offices of the region
presented their respective provincial profiles
and investment projects for promotion
which were reviewed by the panel members
from BOI and Director Baluyut during the
activity. DTI Zambales Provincial Director
Enrique Tacbad, in his closing message,
also encouraged the in-depth review and
analysis of the provinces’ competitive and
comparative advantages for inclusion in the
provincial profiles presented.
Topics such as the Digital Shift in Investment
Promotion, Investment Promotion Briefcase,
Packaging of Competitive Advantage, Doing
Business in the Philippines, Corporate
Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises
(CREATE) Act, and BOI Incentives were also
presented by the other resource persons
from BOI.
With the additional expertise provided
through the training, the IPOs would be better-
equipped in generating investment leads,
especially with the recent developments in
infrastructure which have contributed to the
region’s accessibility resulting in an enhanced
business and investment environment
favored by investors. - Rya Bianca G. Artates,
DTI Region 3
 ACEN Invests INVEST
1st Semester
2022

₱4.5 Billion in San DIGEST

Marcelino, Zambales The Official Newsletter of the Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Inc.

Solar Farm EDITORIAL TE AM

Raquel R. Malig
Ayala Corporation Energy (ACEN), thru its Editor-in-Chief
wholly-owned subsidiary, Santa Cruz Solar Rona O. Dizon
Energy, Inc., is investing ₱4.5 billion in a Managing Editor

500-megawatt solar farm in San Marcelino, Rya Bianca G. Artates

Content Editor
Zambales. Located in a 263-hectare land covered
by lahar in the barangays of Aglao and Sta. Fe, Barry J. Pangilinan
Layout
the solar farm, which has an expansion potential
of up to 700 MW, will feature the latest solar Contributors
Rya Bianca G. Artates
technologies using east-west oriented panels Arvin Cabalu
Mhike Cigaral
and string inverters to capture solar radiation Rona O. Dizon
Honeylen Marie P. Fernando
more efficiently. Cynthia V. Jaravata
Rhia C. Laxa
Kevin L. Nacabuan
Santa Cruz Solar Energy, Inc. has tapped four Greg Refraccion
Leyana Seacor
contractors to do the project components. Jennifer Yap
Terp Asia Construction Corporation leads
the access and infrastructure component
ADVISORY BOARD
that includes road improvements, and bridge,
Hon. Susan A. Yap
tower and buildings construction. Power China Governor, Tarlac
Philippines Corporation and Power Construction CLGCFI President

Corporation of China Ltd. take charge of the solar Hon. Gerardo A. Noveras
Governor, Aurora
plant’s first and second phases while Ronmark
Hon. Albert Raymond S. Garcia
Corporation is in charge of the sub-station. Governor, Bataan

Hon. Daniel R. Fernando

According to Project Development Manager Governor, Bulacan

Margarita Roxas, the project has generated Hon. Aurelio M. Umali

Governor, Nueva Ecija
1,300 jobs. More jobs will be available once
laying of the 700,000 solar panels has been Hon. Dennis G. Pineda
Governor, Pampanga
started.
Hon. Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr.
Governor, Zambales

ACEN aims to help address the potential Dir. Leonila T. Baluyut

power shortages in the country as energy Regional Director, DTI-3

demand continues to grow. Upon the project’s

completion by the first half of 2023, the solar SECRETARIAT
Industry Development Division
farm, which is registered with the Board of Department of Trade & Industry -
Investments (BOI), is expected to produce Regional Office 3
Malikhain cor. Maagap Streets,
over 421 GWh of renewable energy per year Diosdado Macapagal Government Center,
Maimpis, City of San Fernando, Pampanga
and eliminate 287,796 tons of CO2 emissions 2000 Philippines
Tel: (+6345) 6259291 | Fax: (+6345) 6259607
annually. - Cynthia V. Jaravata, DTI-Zambales https://www.facebook.com/DTI.CentralLuzon.IDD

photo from https://www.facebook.com/PIOSanMarcelinoZambales