The Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) was able to declare and register a total of 17 FAB Expansion Areas (FEAs) as of August 2022, by virtue of Republic Act No. 11453, otherwise known as, “An Act Further Strengthening the Powers and Functions of the Freeport Area of Bataan”.

 

“As a result, we are pleased to be the catalyst and witness to the actuality that the economic gains we have achieved in Mariveles will now be replicated in other municipalities across Bataan,” Administrator Pineda stated in his report.

Since its charter was amended in 2019, the Freeport was enabled to host and accommodate leading and emerging global industries to become more responsive to the demands of the international business market.

 

These FEAs have initiated the development of their respective zones to fast-track the commencement of their operations. Upon completion, 3,083 hectares of varying industry types will be able to accommodate new enterprises coming in, as well as the expansions of the Freeport’s current FREs.

Their declared economic activities include light and medium industrial, power generation, port services, agri-industrial, commercial, tourism, MICE activities, and BPO/IT in eight (8) different municipalities and the capital city of the province. Of which, ten (10) are now in development, and seven (7) are already operating to accommodate more investors, generate more jobs, and facilitate larger economic activities. Six (6) FEAs are located in Mariveles, while eleven are in the towns of Limay, Pilar, Abucay, Orani, Hermosa, Dinalupihan, and Bagac, and in the City of Balanga. The AFAB is also currently in the process of finalizing the approval and declaration of the first FEA in the town of Samal.#