CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Business leaders are calling on the local government to take direct control of the city’s industrial future, advocating for a municipally managed economic zone to capture a larger share of manufacturing investments.

The Case for Self-Reliance

In a fast-growing metropolitan hub like Cagayan de Oro, relying solely on existing national-level industrial estates may no longer be sufficient, according to advocates pushing for a more aggressive local strategy. The proposal comes as cities across the Philippines are lining up to establish their own economic zones under a major expansion program by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), which is set to declare up to 30 new ecozones in 2026.

A Concrete Plan Takes Shape

Discussions have centered on four barangays — Tablon, Indahag, Bulua, and Lumbia — identified as having large tracts of land suitable for development or government expropriation. These areas are seen as ideal for industrial expansion, offering the space needed to accommodate manufacturing locators while remaining accessible to the city’s logistics infrastructure, including its seaport and airport.

PHIVIDEC as a Benchmark, Not a Blueprint

The nearby PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate, spanning approximately 3,000 hectares, has operated for 51 years under its own charter. However, business leaders argue that it has yet to fully realize its investment potential, citing limited international promotion. Rather than competing with this existing facility, the proposed city-led ecozone would complement it, offering a more agile and locally responsive alternative.

Seizing the National Momentum

The initiative aligns with a broader national push. PEZA Director General Tereso Panga has emphasized that strategic partnerships with local governments will be crucial in preparing investment-ready sites and implementing governance reforms that elevate host communities’ competitiveness. Currently, six ecozones nationwide are operated directly by LGUs, including the Camarines Sur Information Technology Park and the Valencia Special Economic Zone.

Challenges Ahead

Mayor Rolando Uy has yet to publicly respond to the proposal, having been at Malacañang for the launch of a national initiative. Meanwhile, the Oro Trade and Investment Promotion Center, led by John Asuncion, continues to coordinate with business groups on identifying viable growth corridors.

A Question of Timing

As investment competition intensifies among regional cities, the question facing Cagayan de Oro is no longer whether it can grow — but whether it can move quickly enough to capture the next wave of industrial expansion.