APECO Welcomes PBBM Signing of 2026 SIPP

The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) expects to benefit significantly from the newly approved 2026 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP), which aligns closely with the agency’s long-term development strategy for Aurora Province and the Eastern Seaboard.

APECO President and CEO Undersecretary Gil G. Taway IV said the plan reinforces the economic zone’s vision of becoming the country’s National Defense Hub, Fishing Capital of the Pacific, and Clean Energy Hub—three sectors that directly support the Marcos administration’s priorities on national security, food security, and energy security.

Signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the 2026 SIPP identifies priority investment activities eligible for government incentives and support, providing a framework for attracting both domestic and foreign investments.

According to Taway, many of APECO’s target industries are covered under the plan’s Tier I priorities, including agriculture and fisheries development, food processing and manufacturing, aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), telecommunications infrastructure, transport services, logistics and fulfillment centers, industrial zones, housing projects, and power generation and energy storage facilities.

The economic zone also stands to benefit from Tier II priorities, which include defense-related services, renewable energy projects, and food security investments. These sectors form the core of APECO’s strategy to attract long-term investments through public-private partnerships and strategic locators.

“The alignment between APECO’s development agenda and the country’s investment priorities creates significant opportunities for investors seeking to participate in industries critical to the nation’s future,” Taway said.

The inclusion of science, technology, and innovation-driven activities under Tier III further strengthens the zone’s prospects. Priority sectors such as research and development, defense manufacturing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, hydrogen energy, and nuclear energy are among the industries APECO hopes to attract as it positions itself as a future-ready economic hub.

Taway noted that these investments could generate quality employment, promote technology transfer, and accelerate the development of Aurora as a center for advanced industries and innovation.

Beyond economic growth, APECO expects the investment plan to create broader social benefits, including livelihood opportunities, workforce training, and increased participation of local communities and Indigenous Peoples in economic development.

With the 2026 SIPP providing a clearer roadmap for priority investments, APECO aims to leverage the policy framework to attract projects that support inclusive growth while advancing the country’s goals of security, resilience, and sustainability.