From being the "Tuna Capital of the Philippines," this city is now gearing to become the country's next agricultural and aquaculture processing centre.
Local government and business leaders are stepping up efforts for the passage of legislation that would establish an economic zone and free port in the city.
"(The development of an agri-aqua processing centre) is ultimately the direction we want to go. This is our purpose in pushing for the ecozone," Rep. Darlene Antonio-Custodio said.
House Bill 582, originally introduced by former Rep. Luwalhati Antonino and re-filed last year by Ms. Custodio, is now pending at the economic affairs committee of the House.
A counterpart bill authored by Senator Loren Legarda-Leviste is also pending with the committees on economic affairs, local government, ways and means and finance in the Senate.
Aside from the establishment of the economic zone and free port, the proposed measure also calls for the creation of an administrative body to be called the General Santos Economic Zone and Free Port Authority.
Initially, the proposed economic zone and free port is expected to produce at least 3,000 jobs. The proposed development is also expected to open up economic and development opportunities within the South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and General Santos (Socsksargen) growth area.
Ms. Custodio cited the need to develop the city's neighbouring areas that serve as the main source of raw materials for various local industries. The measure will also complement developments of special economic zones within the Socsksargen area that have been approved by the Philippine Economic Zones Authority.
Source: Business World