Philippine Economic Zone Authority director general Charito Plaza expressed disappointment over the alleged indifference of the Department of Trade and Industry to amend the PEZA Charter and exempt it from tax reforms under the Comprehensive Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA), or TRAIN 2.
“The Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez was not bypassed about the PEZA management’s decision to propose amendments to its charter. Since about mid-2018, the Secretary was informed of the plan to amend the 24-year old PEZA law. We gave him a copy of the proposal,” said Plaza.
She said it was also discussed in the PEZA board meetings where the Trade Department was represented, and in several consultation-dialogues with partner ecozone industries, foreign chambers and business associations.
Lopez rebutted Plaza’s allegations, saying the PEZA director general did not have the endorsement of the board and that PEZA’s position on the tax reform and the moves to propose a new PEZA law were not officially endorsed.