More Arms for PH: First Defense Eco- Zone in South East Asia to Rise in Bataan

06/17/2015 | 8:15 0 Posted in Business and Finance, Employment

A former illegal gunsmith inspects a newly assembled multi-action shotgun at Shooters Arms, a gun manufacturing company exporting different kinds of weapons to other countries, in Cebu city in central Philippines July 7, 2012. REUTERS/Erik De Castro

The Philippines is going to manufacture more arms and ammunition for local supply and possible exports. Bataan province, where the Government Arsenal is located, will be the site for the defense economic zone in South East Asia, the authorities said in a news report.

The Government Arsenal (GA) is an agency of the Philippine government under the Department of National Defense, responsible for the production of basic weaponry and ammunition for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP), among others, and for the sale and export of products in excess of AFP/PNP requirements

Bataan Governor Albert Garcia told reporters on Friday that there are many foreign and local defense companies who are interested to invest.

We’re just waiting for the Presidential proclamation for the incentives,” Garcia said.

Government Arsenal located on a 370-hectare defense industrial estate in Lamao, Limay, Province of Bataan.

The proposed Defense Economic Zone is similar to Science Parks and Technology Centers located mostly in CALABARZON. The only difference is that, the defense eco-zone will cater only defense manufacturing companies instead of commercial manufacturing facilities.

“With the modernization, funds are coming in so that they can update its equipment to catch up with the demand because right now, we still have to import a lot of the demand as production can’t keep up,” Garcia said.

The companies interested to come in are not confined to the manufacture of weapons and ammunition, but also produces backpacks, boots, food packs and are in the business of logistics, the Bataan governor noted

“We really welcome investments because these investments will provide jobs and opportunities for our people,” the Bataan governor said.

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is expected to finalize everything on September, Garcia said.

/Rey Dela Guardia/

Source: Ang Malaya, Phil Star