Zamboecozone Transfers Over 2 Million Philippine Pesos to Zamboanga City
Zamboecozone: A Hub of Growth and Development in Mindanao
The Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority and Freeport (Zamboecozone) is currently undergoing active expansion and development, with a host of new investments and infrastructural projects underway.
As of August 2025, the Zamboecozone has 147 operational locators and has recently remitted over ₱2 million to the Zamboanga City government, representing its 2% share of the Ecozone’s gross income as mandated by law.
Key facilities such as the Sea Oil depot, a shipyard, and the Coast Guard Southwestern Mindanao District headquarters are already operational within the zone. The Department of Public Works and Highways is constructing a building for its first engineering district office, reflecting ongoing infrastructure growth. Renovation of the Water Park Resort is also ongoing to enhance recreational and team-building facilities within the zone.
A major public-private partnership (PPP) project, the San Ramon Newport Project, is in the works. This project, with an estimated cost of about ₱14.8 billion (US$259 million), involves the design, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of a new seaport complex under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) scheme. The San Ramon project aims to decongest the existing Zamboanga Baseport, attract new investors and locators to Zamboecozone, reduce transportation costs for cargo flowing into Region IX, and improve maritime and land logistics infrastructure.
Zamboecozone is also demonstrating strong collaboration with national and local government units and agencies. Recent partnerships with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and the Bureau of Immigration are aimed at promoting sustainable tourism and investment synergy within the zone and broader region.
The Zamboecozone is required by Republic Act 7903 to remit three percent of its gross income to the city government. Two percent of the remitted amount is allocated to the City of Zamboanga, and one percent is allocated to the barangay special development fund. The law stipulates that the mayor, congressional representatives, and the representative of the City Council serve as ex-officio voting members of the Ecozone Board.
Recently, Mayor Kkymer Olaso was administered the oath-taking as an ex-officio member of the Ecozone Board. The exact roles of the mayor, congressional representatives, and City Council representative in the Ecozone Board were not specified in the information provided.
In summary, the Zamboecozone is currently experiencing concrete growth in investment attraction, infrastructure development, and institutional partnerships aimed at enhancing its role as a regional trade and economic hub in Mindanao.
The Zamboanga City government is set to receive a portion of the earnings from Zamboecozone, as per the mandate in Republic Act 7903, with the Ecozone remitting 2% of its gross income to the city. The ongoing San Ramon Newport Project, a major public-private partnership, is expected to attract new investors and locators to the Zamboecozone, boosting the business sector within Zamboanga City.
