The city government expects the local tourism sector to receive a further boost once Barangay Santa Lucia here is accredited as a Tourism Enterprise Zone (TEZ).

Mayor Lucilo Bayron told reporters on Monday he is confident the project site can satisfy all of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority’s (TIEZA) requirements for TEZ accreditation.

“We are currently undergoing the appraisal and technical due diligence process. After that, we can expect that our environmental estate can be declared a TEZ,” he said in Filipino during the flag-raising ceremonies at city hall.

The mayor disclosed that a team from TIEZA visited the city last week to assess the environmental estate project, and he is optimistic that they were sufficiently impressed by the city government’s vision for the location.

Bayron explained that he is pinning his hopes on the TIEZA accreditation because the national government extends multiple fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to projects within TEZs, and such incentives will make it easier for the city government to develop the Santa Lucia site.

He explained that his administration is targeting to establish an economic hub on the 1,072-hectare property.

The city’s vision includes the construction of convention centers, hotels, golf courses, a mini zoo, wellness centers, and a retirement home will be constructed, serving as the center for tourism activities for its MICE tourism program.

He noted that potential investors from Japan and South Korea have already expressed interest in the Santa Lucia site.

“We are hopeful that the various incentives, plus Puerto Princesa’s recent declaration as the fastest growing economy outside the NCR is enough to attract many investors,” Bayron added. (PNA)