The West Cebu Industrial Park in Balamban is set to grow further after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the expansion of the Cebu Special Economic Zone by more than 64 hectares.
The expansion was formalized through Proclamation No. 1288, signed on June 3, 2026, following the recommendation of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).
The proclamation adds two parcels of land in Barangay Buanoy, Balamban, with a combined area of approximately 647,229 square meters, or about 64.7 hectares, to the existing economic zone.
The newly designated properties, identified as Lots SK-07-000197 and SK-07-000198, are now part of the Cebu Special Economic Zone, further strengthening Balamban’s role as a key industrial and manufacturing hub in Central Visayas.
The expansion is authorized under Republic Act No. 7916, or the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995, and its implementing rules and regulations.
The West Cebu Industrial Park is jointly developed by the Aboitiz Group and Japan-based Tsuneishi Holdings.
The estate hosts major operations involved in shipbuilding, energy, logistics, and other heavy industries.
At present, the industrial estate spans more than 540 hectares and is considered one of the country’s largest shipbuilding and manufacturing centers.
According to Aboitiz Economic Estates, the park is home to several international firms and provides employment to more than 14,000 Filipino workers engaged in skilled and semi-skilled industrial jobs.
Among its major locators is Tsuneishi Heavy Industries, one of the largest shipbuilding firms operating in the country.
The Marcos administration has issued several proclamations expanding existing economic zones in strategic growth areas as part of efforts to attract investments and generate employment.
Under the PEZA framework, registered enterprises enjoy fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, including income tax holidays, reduced corporate income tax rates or enhanced deductions, duty-free importation of capital equipment, and value-added tax exemptions on qualified transactions.
Officials said the additional land area is expected to support future industrial expansion and help attract more locators to the Balamban economic zone.
Photo courtesy of Aboitiz Economic Estates
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