ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF APECO AND AURORA
Agri-Aqua. Owing to its location, APECO provides a suitable and sustainable venue for agri-aqua industry. The zone is envisioned to host a modern Agri-Marine Center for high value marine products with fish port, reefer facilities and processing and canning provisions.
Agriculture is the primary industry in Aurora. About 15% of Aurora or 49,991 hectares is devoted to agriculture. APECO focused its attention on high value commodities , such as coconuts, bamboos, and seaweeds. Moreover, APECO is about 250 km from Philippine Rise, formerly known as the Benham Rise, a 13-hectare underwater plateau that is part of the Philippines’ continental shelf. It is potentially a rich source of natural gas, heavy metals and marine life.
Eco-Tourism. With its forested and lushly vegetated mountains and pristine beaches, APECO offers a magnificent eco-tourism venue for everyone.
Health Facilities. As of June 30, 2023, Region III or the Central Luzon Region, where Aurora Province is located, has 176 operating hospitals. Out of the 176, 120 are privately owned and operated, while the Philippine Government operates the rest. In Aurora, the Philippine Government operates four (4) municipal hospitals in Baler, Casiguran, Maria Aurora, and Dingalan. Premiere General Hospital of Nueva Ecija, Baler, Aurora, Inc. is also located in Baler, Aurora.
Power and Energy. Consistent with the policy of the national government, APECO will promote the optimization of renewable energy. It can act as an alternative energy park or a hub for research and development of renewable energy technologies. Moreover, investors may want to explore the hydro, wind, and solar energy potential in Casiguran. The estimated aggregate wind power of Aurora is at 320 MW from 46 potential sites. It can also host a solar energy power plant at 61- hectare Dilasag Ridge or within APECO’s premises. It also has a potential of 81.6 MW of biomass energy.
At present, APECO relies on the National Power Corporation – Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) for their electricity. The energy demand of APECO is estimated at 15 MW per year. The electricity generation cost ranges from Php 6.11 to Php 6.95 kwh. Including transmission costs and other incidentals, it may reach up to P11 kwh.
Moving forward, the Aurora Electric Cooperative Inc. (AURELCO) plans to supply APECO and Casiguran. AURELCO supplies electricity to the northern portion of Aurora through a 69 KV sub-transmission line of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). NGCP plans to improve its resiliency and system reliability by constructing a high voltage 500/230 kv transmission line. This will facilitate the flow of at least 1,000 to 1,500MW in the area.
Water Supply. The ecozone’s estimated water demand is 24,665 cubic meters per day when all its areas are fully optimized based on population projection and industrial, commercial, and agriculture use. At present, APECO has five (5) free flowing standpipes from Barangay Esteves. Within its perimeter, it has an existing dam with an elevated water tank and a water distribution pipeline consisting of 200mm diameter primary lines and 150mm diameter secondary lines.
Human Resource. About 61% of the municipality’s population is economically active, whereas around 39% represents the dependent population.
Information and Communication Technology. APECO has achieved significant progress in cyber/internet connectivity by establishing Starlink in the ecozone, effective May 23, 2023. The Converge, PLDT, and SMART also provide internet services in the area.
Port Operations. The Philippine Ports Authority requires compulsory or mandatory pilotage for shipping vessels in private and public ports. There are pilotage associations in the Philippines, with nation-wide scope, that can provide this service. They are registered with the Maritime Industry Authority or MARINA. At present, we have at least 183 registered harbor pilots in the Philippines.
The Municipality of Casiguran has a “roll-on, roll-off” port, but not yet in operation until APECO assumes jurisdiction of this port. Meanwhile, the nearest shipbuilding and repair facilities are located in Metro Manila and Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
CURRENT LAND ZONE USE AND CLASSIFICATION
APECO’s geographical footprint is divided into Parcels 1 and 2. Parcel 1 has at least 496 hectares, while Parcel 2 has 12, 247 hectares.
Majority of the light industrial and commercial locators are in Parcel 1. APECO’s long-term plan is to focus primarily on agri-aqua industries because of its proximity to Benham Rise and access to the Pacific Ocean.
Parcel 2 is also equally promising as Parcel 1. With its white sand beaches, pristine rainforest, and interesting terrain, it is suited for tourism-related investments.