Bulacan: Senator Joel Villanueva has announced that the province of Bulacan is poised to host several food security projects approved by the Board of Investments as of the end of June. These projects are part of a larger initiative to bolster food security across the Philippines.
According to Philippines News Agency, there are 31 food security projects valued at approximately PHP18.7 billion that have been granted Green Lane certifications by the Board of Investments. These projects are expected to generate around 7,000 jobs. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. established the Green Lane through Executive Order 18 on February 23, 2023, to streamline, expedite, and automate government approval and registration processes for strategic investments.
In a news release, Villanueva highlighted that several projects, including modern breeder farms, a coconut processing facility, and a cold storage facility, could be established in Bulacan. He cited data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), noting that Central Luzon is the largest producer of rice and livestock in the country. Bulacan ranks fourth in the region for palay production, with 387,699 metric tons, and third in hog raising, with 21,597 heads in 2021.
Villanueva emphasized the potential benefits for Bulacan, particularly in expanding cold storage facilities for aquaculture products for both domestic consumption and export, including prawn, crabs, and milkfish. He expressed confidence that Bulacan is well-prepared to become a strategic economic hub in the country, given its diverse economy, skilled workforce, and improved access to free ports in Subic and Bataan.
"Bulacan is a natural extension of Metro Manila going to the north. The rails are coming, the airport is being constructed, and more roads are being built," he said.
According to the PSA, Bulacan holds the fourth-largest economy outside Metro Manila in terms of contribution to the national gross domestic product, contributing PHP631.64 billion in 2023. Villanueva also urged the provincial government to continue preparing for the anticipated surge in investments by upskilling workers and preparing businesses for a more competitive environment.
"All hands should be on deck, from the local government to the academe, the business sector, and other stakeholders. We want to show we are ready for every opportunity," he said.
