Upon the invitation of Senator Risa N. Hontiveros, a dialogue was convened to discuss the recently signed Republic Act (RA) 11453, otherwise known as an Act Further Strengthening the Powers and Functions of the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB).

Representatives from the AFAB, office of 2nd District of Bataan Representative Jose Enrique Garcia III, Mariveles local government unit, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Housing Authority (NHA), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Board of Investments (BOI), various Mariveles neighborhood associations and peoples’ organizations attended said dialogue at the Senate of the Philippines on 07 October 2019.

The discussion focused on the provisions of the law bearing on the concerns of the civil society relative to housing and the Informal Settler Families (ISFs) within the Freeport. The dialogue is critical as they put forth their concerns to which the government agencies present responded by citing both current and future initiatives within their respective mandates.

More importantly, AFAB Deputy Administrator for Operations Alewijn Aidan K. Ong presented the AFAB’s program for housing for the workers, the recently-approved FAB Comprehensive Master Development Plan (CMDP) recommending the expansion of the residential areas within the Freeport and the Authority’s commitment to conduct road shows for widespread dissemination of the significance of RA 11453.

RA 11453 amends the provisions of Republic Act No. 9728, otherwise known as the "Freeport Area of Bataan Act of 2009." It aims to strengthen the powers and functions of the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan to enhance FAB’s international positioning and competitiveness, encourage higher migration of businesses and skilled workers into the province of Bataan and to push greater contributions to national development.

AFAB