History - Bagong APECO

Jun 2007 – Apr 2010: Foundation Years

Creation of APECO and designation of Casiguran, Aurora as a special economic zone and freeport authority;

Initial infrastructure laid down, including administrative facilities and access improvements;

Establishment of partnerships with national government agencies, local government units, and community stakeholders;

Apr 2010 – Dec 2015: Expansion and Institutional Strengthening

Passage of RA 10083 expanded APECO’s territory and investment opportunities;

Development of core infrastructure: roads, utilities, and support facilities within the ecozone;

Launch of early investment promotion campaigns highlighting agro-industrial and tourism potential;

Key Infrastructure Project: Casiguran Seaport (Feasibility Study in 2011 by Korea Eximbank)

Jan 2016 – Sep 2023: Capacity Building and Investor Readiness

Included the Offshore Gaming Industry in the investment portfolio;

Implemented Investor and Workers VISA Issuance process;

Engagement with domestic and foreign investors through trade missions and promotional activities.

Oct 2023 – Present: Bagong APECO and L.I.F.E.

With the assumption of Atty. Gil G. Taway IV as APECO’s President and CEO in October 2023, APECO is now championing transformative leadership and governance paving the road towards Bagong APECO:

Efficient Zone Management

APECO has made significant strides in strengthening its operations and optimizing resources through Efficient Zone Management. The current management has successfully regained full control of its Administrative Building in Casiguran, which had been previously occupied by a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) that was eased out in 2024. With the facility now back under APECO’s management, the agency can centralize operations, safeguard public assets, and deliver more efficient services to its stakeholders.

The relocation of APECO’s Manila satellite office to Parqal also streamlined operations, resulting in PHP 5.3 million in annual savings. Towards generating sustainable revenue, APECO renovated its previously idle assets, specifically the APECO Staff house, transforming them into the now part of the APECO Tourism Properties portfolio, providing upgraded accommodations for visitors, investors, and partners.

These reforms were reinforced by a positive audit observation from the Commission on Audit (COA) for 2024, reflecting the agency's transparency and sound fiscal management.

Strategic Zone Infrastructure Development

APECO is building the backbone of a thriving ecozone through Strategic Zone Infrastructure Development, ensuring reliable utilities and modern facilities to support industries and communities. These include vital energy and water infrastructure, such as the Underground Power Distribution Lines, Bianoan Substation, and Central Water Supply and Reservoir projects, which are part of the P800 million worth of abandoned projects inherited by the current management and have since been completed or repurposed to serve the needs of the ecozone.

Supporting these core facilities are essential services: a Super Health Center for community healthcare, a Fire Station for safety and emergency response, a Motor Pool for equipment and transport, and environmental facilities like a Sewage Treatment Plant and Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) to keep operations sustainable.

At the same time, APECO is investing in new infrastructure including access roads, road widening, coastal slope protection, and additional power and water systems. These improvements strengthen logistics, ensure reliable utilities, and create a secure environment for industries.

In addition to core utilities, APECO has developed strategic facilities that enhance the ecozone’s functionality and attractiveness for business and tourism. The APECO meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) facilities, including the upcoming APECO Convention Center, provide modern spaces for MICE, supporting investor engagement and business events within the zone.

APECO is set to construct its Grand Lagoon that serves as both a commercial and leisure hub, integrating tourism with ecozone activities to create a vibrant community environment. Complementing these are the soon-to-rise ready-for-occupancy/ready-for-fit-out buildings, which house regulatory, administrative, and support offices essential for smooth operations and investor services.

Strategic Zone Promotion

APECO’s new LIFE Marketing Plan is a bold and strategic approach to position the Freeport and Economic Zone as one of the Philippines’ most attractive investment destinations. LIFE stands for Location, Inclusive Growth, Fiscal Incentives, and Early Adopter Model—four interconnected pillars that highlight APECO’s strengths and define its commitment to sustainable, investor-driven development.

Location is APECO’s foremost advantage. Nestled between the Sierra Madre Mountain Range and the San Ildefonso Peninsula, with direct access to the Pacific via Casiguran Cove and proximity to the Philippine Rise, APECO occupies a unique geographic position. This makes it ideal as a hub for logistics, fisheries, renewable energy, defense support, and tourism, with unparalleled connectivity to both domestic and international markets.

Inclusive Growth reflects APECO’s vision of development that uplifts not just investors but also local communities. By fostering partnerships with indigenous peoples, fisherfolk, and nearby municipalities, APECO ensures that investments create shared value—delivering jobs, skills training, and livelihood opportunities while enhancing social and environmental sustainability.

Fiscal Incentives provide investors with a strong competitive edge given by the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incenties for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy Act otherwise knows as Republic Act 12066 or the CREATE MORE Act. Through CREATE MORE and special provisions of the RA 9490 and RA 10083, APECO offers tax holidays, duty-free importation, and other fiscal and non-fiscal incentives that lower operating costs and increase profitability. These incentives are designed to level the playing field with other major freeports while positioning APECO as a unique Pacific-oriented gateway.

Finally, the Early Adopter Model rewards pioneers who invest in APECO today. By offering lease rates well below market value, APECO treats these early agreements as a loss leader strategy to spark industrial activity. Investors who join now will secure prime locations, enjoy the lowest possible costs, and benefit from the appreciation of land, infrastructure, and market demand as APECO scales.

Together, these four pillars form the LIFE framework—a clear and compelling value proposition that makes APECO not just another investment site, but a groundbreaking opportunity for visionary investors ready to shape the future of the Pacific frontier.

APECO Today

APECO stands as an emerging hub for trade, logistics, eco-tourism, and agro-industrial ventures. With a solid legal foundation, available land for development, and a commitment to sustainable growth, the ecozone is now entering a new phase of readiness—inviting both domestic and international investors to be part of its growth story.

Jun 2007 – Apr 2010: Foundation Years

Apr 2010 – Dec 2015: Expansion and Institutional Strengthening

Jan 2016 – Sep 2023: Capacity Building and Investor Readiness

Oct 2023 – Present: Bagong APECO and L.I.F.E.

APECO Today

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