Morong Special Economic Zone / Bataan Technology Park, Inc.

The Zone

Overlooking the South China Sea from hilly areas of Morong, Bataan is the 365-hectare Bataan Technology Park, once the site of the United Nations-managed Philippine Refugee Processing Center, which offered friendship, dignity, hope and new beginnings to some 400,000 refugees from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

In March 1997, the entire municipality of Morong was proclaimed as the Morong Special Economic Zone (MSEZ), with the Bataan Technology Park as the Main Zone. Areas contiguous to the Park constitute the Sub-Zone, which will contain a mix of residential, commercial, institutional, recreational and other support facilities.

BTP's long-term vision is to become an agri-aqua technology park that shall focus on modern and leading edge-biotechnology. To support this, within the short and medium term, BTP is being developed as a corporate training center and eco-tourism park, respectively. It is also ideal for commercial, industrial, institutional, open space, parks, residential and mixed use.

Getting There

The BTP is just a 20-minute drive from the tourism, recreational and air & sea port facilities of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) and 2 ½ hours drive from Manila. Located at the hilltop at an elevation of 320 feet in Brgy. Sabang, in Morong, the BTP is situated in the most advance and dynamic region in the country, as it lies within the three major anchor developments in the Manila-Clark-Subic economic triad.

The Park is accessible by land through the Subic Southgate route and BCDA's Subic-Clark Expressway. Aligned with the development of Ayala Land's Anvaya Cove, the BTP can also be reached by sea through the operation of a passenger terminal for a direct ferry transport to Manila at the Binanga Port in Morong.

A Locator's Haven

The BTP provides vast agricultural land where there is available agri-industrial-based labor. It enjoys the benefits and incentives of a Special Economic Zone. Its proximity to the SFZ, and accessibility through the SCTEx gives the BTP a strategic advantage as an alternative investment site.

To date, a total of five locators are operating inside the 365-hectare Bataan Technology Park. These are the Bataan Center for Innovative Science and Technology, Inc. (BCISTI), Department of Public Works and Highways (temporary stockyard for the President's Bridge Program), Hokei Subic Corporation, Barnston Herbs International, and Cosmos Biotech Co. Ltd.

The development of BTP is crucial as it will complete the landscape of progress of the entire region complementing the developments in other special economic zones such as the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, the CSEZ, and the Central Technopark in Tarlac. Toward this end, BCDA has started marketing the Park as an ideal location for the establishment of retirement and nursing villages for foreign and local retirees-complete with leisure, sports and institutional facilities for education, hospital and commercial areas.

Tourism Opportunities

BTP provides clean and green environment with pristine, clear and beautiful beaches inn Morong and Subic. Since the BTP is being developed as a prime tourist destination in Bataan, the BTPI properly maintained and preserved its 11 symbolic monuments and shrines constructed by the former Indo-Chinese refugees. The boat which was used by the Vietnamese refugees was transferred from the Freedom Park to the BTPI museum to ensure its protection from wear and tear. The BTPI also continues to invite donations of artifacts and memorabilia for display in its museum.

Locators' Incentives

Investors who wish to put up can enjoy the following benefits:

• 5% levy on Gross Income Earned (GIE) in lieu of all national and local taxes and duties;
• tax and duty-free importation of raw materials and capital equipment; and
• management of the zone as a separate customs territory, ensuring free flow or movement of goods and capital equipment within, into and exported our of the zone.

Invest in the Bataan Technology Park

• Step 1. Investors submit a Letter of Intent and other Required Documents
  
• Step 2. PPMC identifies site(s) and provides prospective investor with the Terms of Contract
  
• Step 3. If proposal is approved, Lease Agreement is signed and Certificate of Registration is issued

The Estate Manager

The Bataan Technology Park was established as the Main Zone of the Morong Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) by former President Fidel V. Ramos through Presidential Proclamation No. 984 in 1997. With BCDA as implementing arm, the Bataan Technology Park, Inc. (BTPI) was incorporated and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a wholly-owned subsidiary to manage and administer the developmental activities within the area. The Park is formerly the Philippine Refugee Processing Center.

In April 1999, Memorandum of Agreement between BCDA, BTPI and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) was entered to facilitate the development and ensure of complementation with the economic activities including access to seaport, airport, power, telecommunications and other facilities of SBMA.

Subsequently, the BTP was placed under the jurisdiction of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority by virtue of Executive Order No. 381, which took effect in October 26, 2004.

Management of the BTP was reverted to the BCDA from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority in December 2005 through the issuance of Executive Order No. 476. Since then, BCDA, through its estate manager, the BTPI, started instituting measures to make the park another investment and tourism haven in the country.

Vision

A thriving ecozone for light and medium and agri-aqua industries and a model for sustainable development.

Mission

To administer, operate and maintain efficient ecozone that will benefit marginalized communities in Bataan and Central Luzon in terms of job generation.

Among the objectives of the BTPI for the Bataan Technology Park are:

• To be one of the premier investment and tourism destination;
• To promote and prioritize utilization of indigenous resources;
• To ensure the growth of local satellite industries;
• To establish forward-backward linkages;
• To ensure sustainable development of MSEZ through environment friendly industries and eco-tourism component;
• To provide the required infrastructure linkage with growth centers and growth areas in the locality;
• To allow integration of development efforts in the region; and,
• To enable the MSEZ to be self-sustaining and self-liquidating and consistent with the Bataan, Subic Bay Freeport and Central Luzon development programs.

Officers and Board of Directors

Antonio I. Habana - Chairman