Casiguran, Aurora - On December 13, 2023, the APECO team headed by PCEO Taway and DA Mantuano and their technical team paid a courtesy call to honorable Mayor Roynald S. Soriano of the Municipality of Casiguran.

The Municipality encompasses a vast portion of the APECO jurisdiction located in Brgy. Esteves that holds Parcel 1 of the Ecozone covering 496 hectares.

In their open and honest conversation, Mayor Soriano relayed his concerns to the new management with how APECO operated for the past years, which PCEO Taway vowed to correct. Going further, he issued his heartfelt desire to strengthen the bonds of partnership between the Ecozone and its home municipality. “Kahit po hindi pa kami bahagi ng APECO nung panahon na iyon, nais po namin na humingi na ng paumanhin kung hindi po naging ganun ka-open ang nakalipas na management sa inyo. Sa akin pong pamumuno, pinapangako po namin na mananatiling bukas ang APECO at hindi po ito magiging sarado para sa mamamayang DiCaDi, lalong lao na sa mga taga-Casiguran.”

More than the promise of open facilities, APECO management promised to create deeper cooperations with the Municipality. Initial points discussed were the partnerships to operate and expand the Dibacong Fish Port, where PCEO Taway stated that the policy for fishing industry locators would be two-fold: First, fishing operations must include processing within the Ecozone so that it would not primarily be extractive in nature. Second, fishing operations and processing operations must not have any negative environmental impact on the beach landscape that serves as the pride and joy and seasonal industry driver for the municipality.

Furthermore, APECO is proposing entering into an MOA with the Casiguran Sanggunian and Mayor Soriano for the development and operation of the Dibacong Fishport, which is currently under study. This proposed MOA is a 180-degree pivot from the previous treatment that the Municipality received, as APECO strives to uphold its vow to become more consultative.

Finally, APECO is proposing having cooperation for shared first responders and other Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations, so that resources for these efforts can be shared to the municipality in times of need.

Snappy Salute to PNP Aurora!

Baler, Aurora – APECO President and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Gil G. Taway IV and the Deputy Administrator Angelo Gabriel D. Mantuano, with key members of the APECO Team, paid a courtesy visit to the PNP Provincial Director, PCOL MYLES ANGEL S PASCUAL on December 13, 2023 in their provincial headquarters in Baler, Aurora.

PCOL PASCUAL graciously welcomed the APECO contingent and promised to assist the management in ensuring the safety and security of the events and locators inside the Ecozone. The snappy Colonel immediately ordered the PNP 2nd Mobile Force to deploy for the Christmas Village lighting ceremony who deployed and made the visiting public feel safe and secure in their new home for development, industry, and recreation.

APECO Management and PNP Aurora are also exploring possible partnerships with training facilities to be made available inside the Ecozone. Currently, the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine National Police all have designated sites within the Ecozone, but APECO PCEO Taway and PCOL PASCUAL discussed the possibility of expanding PNP facilities to accommodate for special training grounds for the PNP Maritime Group in Parcel 1.

APECO has ceased the issuance of visas effective on November 3, 2023, until further notice in a Public Advisory issued by the President and Chief Executive Officer. It is likewise conducting a review of all previously issued Visas: Working Visa, APECO Special Residence Visa, and Investor’s Visa

Under the APECO charter created by Republic Act 9490 as amended by Republic Act 10083, APECO is authorized to issue Investor’s Visas to foreign nationals who will invest at least US$ 150,000.00 in the Economic zone and would meet the entry requirements. Following the issuance of the Public Advisory, the issuance of the Investor’s Visa is also suspended until further notice.

The public is reminded of the temporary suspension and is encouraged to report any person representing that they can issue such Visas on behalf of the Ecozone. Reports shall be treated with confidentiality and due care to protect the identities of the reporting persons