A bill seeking to create the Metro Iloilo Special Economic Zone (MILOECOZONE) and the MILOECOZONE Authority has hurdled the committee level in the House of Representatives.
House Bill (HB) 5794, authored by Iloilo City Representative Juliene “Jamjam” Baronda, got the approval of the House Committee on Economic Affairs and the House Committee on Trade and Industry.
“We are eager to have this passed in the House. Our economy needs to recover from the ill effects of the pandemic,” Baronda said in a statement.
HB 5794 is one the seven bills endorsed by the two committees chaired by Aklan Representative Teodorico Haresco Jr., and Navotas Representative John Reynald Tiangco, for plenary approval.
If this becomes a law, Baronda said the city will attract more investors and eventually provide more jobs to Ilonggos.
“We envision Iloilo City as the Silicon Valley of the country,” she added, noting that most of the Information Technology graduates and those who are doing well in software making are employed abroad.
The special economic zone is being eyed to be put up in Jaro district.IMT
