Aerial view of completed and ongoing infrastructure projects within APECO in Casiguran, Aurora, showcasing government buildings, support facilities, and utility systems that form part of the ecozone’s foundational development.
(23 July 2025, Parañaque City) — Ten previously abandoned infrastructure projects in the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO), collectively worth nearly PHP800 million are now either completed or ongoing, the agency reported on Wednesday.
The projects, which include underground power distribution lines, water systems, sanitation facilities and public buildings, were among those long-abandoned and stalled for years, but are now either completed, inaugurated, or under active construction under the leadership of APECO President and CEO Atty. Gil G. Taway IV.
To recall, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., during his visit to Aurora in July 2024, vowed to continue the unfinished projects in APECO, which were inherited by the current leadership from the past administration.
“We are transforming legacy problems into productive assets. This is our way of fulfilling President Marcos’ directive to finish what was started and unlock the full economic potential of APECO. Our institutional campaign of Bagong APECO simply means delivering results, a direct contrast to the region’s previous experiences of listening only to empty promises,” PCEO Taway said.
The completed projects inside the economic zone include the PHP60-million Central Water Supply and Reservoir (CWSR) Phase 1, the PHP28-million Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) Project Phase 1, and the PHP12-million APECO Fire Station Project.
The Underground Power Distribution Line (UPDL) Phase 1 is currently 98 percent, while combined with the UPDL Phase 2, the entire project is now 78 percent complete. UPDL 1 & 2 are worth PHP70 million.
There are two more ongoing projects, including the PHP30-million CWSR Phase 2 and the PHP15-million fire trucks and ambulance, which are 87 and 50 percent complete, respectively.
On the other hand, the STP Phase 2 project amounting to PHP47 million is already in the pre-construction phase.
APECO also reprogrammed the unfinished Corporate Campus Building, supposedly planned as a ready-for-occupancy and ready-for-fit-out (RFO/RFFO) building, by integrating it into a bigger Corporate Campus Development Program. Of the original PHP75-million budget for the building, only PHP17 million remains.
Meanwhile, the Corporate Campus Development Program, originally with an allocation of PHP439 million, now has only PHP103 million remaining budget.
Combining the remaining budget for the two projects, the PHP120 million will be used for the Corporate Campus Development Program, especially the construction of RFO/RFFO building, the APECO Convention Center, and the PHP67.6-million APECO Grand Lagoon.
On top of delivering the abandoned projects, APECO was able to finish the PHP44-million rehabilitation of APECO Villas and Residences, the PHP16.83-million Super Health Center, and the PHP4.95-million Materials Recovery Facility.
“We’re hopeful that Congress will increase our current budget of PHP262 million this year so we can deliver more high-impact projects, especially foundational infrastructure within the ecozone like roads, utilities, and support facilities that will meet the needs of future locators and make APECO truly attractive to investors,” said PCEO Taway.
“We’re also deeply grateful to Congress for placing their trust in APECO once again, despite the zone’s previously marred image. That renewed confidence means a lot as we work to rebuild APECO the right way and to welcome the age of Bagong APECO,” he added.
