Orani, Bataan—“Good laws and good execution can do wonders for the country.”
Former Bataan congressman Tong Payumo said this during a conversation with newsmen here as he remembered the Philippine Economic Zone Authority Act nearly 25 years since he authored it in Congress.
“Billions of pesos in export earnings went to the Philippine coffers and a million jobs for Filipinos were created,” he said.
“At the helm of PEZA when it started operation was its first director general, Lilia de Lima who was credible and efficient,” said octogenarian Payumo, also a former Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman.
“PEZA is a good law, and De Lima was very efficient, the result worked marvels for the country,” he pointed out.
“Economic zones and science parks sprouted in the country, psparking growth. It has contributed to national development,” he added.
Bataan has its own Hermosa Economic Zone, giving employment to about 12,500 workers from the province and nearby areas, the former solon noted.
Payumo also authored the creation of Hermosa Economic Zone.