The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said Friday that a new ecozone in Tarlac will host the country’s first manufacturing facility certified by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Zen Industrial Pharma Ecozone (ZIPZ) broke ground last March 26 in Luisita in Tarlac, which will host a manufacturing plant of sterile injectables and biopharmaceuticals for regulated markets and the country’s pioneer producer of active pharmaceutical ingredient.

PEZA said ZIPZ responds to the call of the Marcos administration to boost the local pharma industry, lower the costs of medicines and make it more accessible to Filipinos, as well as strengthening the country’s role in the global supply chain.

PEZA Director General Tereso Panga said this project would also transform the country into a thriving pharmaceutical hub.

“With all these promising developments and opportunities, we are confident that, together with our government and industry partners—such as the Philippine Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (PCPI)—and our developers and locators, like Zen Industrial, we can propel the country’s pharmaceutical industry forward,” Panga said.

“This will not only enhance accessibility to quality healthcare but also create employment opportunities and drive inclusive socio-economic growth, particularly in Tarlac and other provinces,” he added.

Earlier, PEZA said ZIPZ is investing PHP81.63 million, with the construction expected to be finished by the end of this year.

Aside from ZIPZ, Tarlac also hosted the country’s first pharma park, the Victoria Industrial Park in Victoria.

Meanwhile, PEZA also signed a supplemental agreement with Kaneko Medical Philippine, Inc. on March 27 to diversify its manufacturing portfolio to include guidewires and other advanced medical instruments.

The Japanese locator is operating inside the First Philippine Industrial Park in Batangas. (PNA)