‘Drama-free’ PEZA key for sustained investments
A “drama-free” Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) will be the key to sustained foreign investments in economic zones in the country, according to House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey Sarte Salceda.
In an interview, Salceda said that the ongoing leadership dispute in the agency might make investors think that “our investment regime is overly politicized and therefore risky.”
“My point is, drama-free is key. I am optimistic about a PEZA that is a partner of the Committee on Ways and Means in getting our exports up and in fighting smuggling in ecozones…,” he stated.
The “dispute” Salceda is referring to is the competing claims to the PEZA leadership between Duterte appointee Charito Plaza and the current Officer-in-Charge Deputy Director General Tereso Panga.
In a statement, Trade Undersecretary Herminio Bagro III said that the PEZA Director-General position was “legally deemed vacant as of June 30 noontime” following the issuance of Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 1 by Executive Secretary Victor D. Rodriguez.
However, Plaza is disputing that a subsequent Palace circular extends her PEZA post until December 31, 2022.
To solve this dilemma, Salceda is urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to appoint a new Director-General as soon as possible as only he can “decisively end the confusion.”
