Ilocos Norte: The Ilocos Norte government is opening its underutilized public spaces for free use or lease for up to five years, targeting developers and operators of economic zones and industrial estates. This initiative is part of the province's strategy to attract investors in key industries.
According to Philippines News Agency, Ronaleigh Bueno, head of the Ilocos Norte Trade and Investment Promotions Office, confirmed this development. Her announcement came after an investment conference held in Ascott BGC, Taguig City, on June 20, facilitated by her team and Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc. The special incentive was approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan through Provincial Ordinance No. 2025-06-108, amending the Ilocos Norte Investment Code of 2019.
The initiative aims to draw investments in sectors like food and agriculture, tourism, creative industries, manufacturing, renewable energy, IT and business process management, services, and mining and quarry. Bueno explained that the amended investment code supports activities that may not qualify for national incentives, especially those concerning economic or industrial zones. She highlighted that the CREATE law only offers incentives to developers with estates covering a minimum of 25 hectares. Some properties in Ilocos Norte fall below this threshold, prompting the province to propose incentives at the local level, such as free lease arrangements.
Bueno noted that this strategy mirrors practices in other industrial estates, where free or subsidized leases have successfully attracted businesses. She emphasized that long-term lease arrangements can balance the initial lease-free period, benefiting the province's sustainability.
Currently, several government-owned properties are available for free use, pending feasibility and policy considerations. Notable properties include the Dungon-Dungon land in Barangay Baruyen, Bangui and Barangay Nagsurot in Burgos, a 256.88-hectare pasture land; Northern Foods Corporation's 3.12-hectare site in Barangay San Joaquin, Sarrat; and the Takuat IT Park, a one-hectare area suitable for commercial and industrial purposes in Barangay San Marcos, San Nicolas.
To qualify for free land use, investors must meet specific criteria: they must be domestic or foreign investors complying with the Foreign Investments Act; registered with the Ilocos Norte Trade and Investment Promotions Office; aligned with the province's priority industries; and fulfill requirements related to capital investment, job creation, and social and environmental impact. Additionally, they must comply with business operation requirements including registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and other necessary permits.
