APECO Launches Construction, Rehabilitation of Transport Infrastructure Projects in Casiguran
The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Zone Authority (APECO) has embarked on a major upgrade and expansion of its road networks as part of its PHP415.73-million infrastructure initiative, aimed at transforming the Casiguran-based economic zone into an investment-ready hub for future investors. The effort, under the banner of Bagong APECO, reflects a commitment to modern, inclusive, and sustainable development.
Expanded Road Networks: Backbone of Logistics and Growth
APECO’s new road projects are designed to significantly boost the logistics efficiency of the ecozone, facilitating the transport of raw materials, containerised goods, and even oversized cargoes within Casiguran and the broader Aurora region. By upgrading existing roadways and expanding network coverage, the economic zone aims to remove bottlenecks that have traditionally hindered industrial, commercial, and tourism growth in the area. These improvements directly address challenges like limited connectivity and unreliable transport routes—issues that have impeded the region’s full economic potential.
“These projects will serve as the backbone of the Casiguran-based economic zone, positioning APECO as an investment-ready ecozone for future investors,” said APECO President and CEO Atty Gil G. Taway IV during the groundbreaking ceremony. He emphasized that Casiguran’s strategic location, facing the Pacific Ocean, makes it ideal for transshipment, enabling more efficient import and export operations and supporting both local locators and visiting investors seeking streamlined logistics operations.
Transformative Impact and Strategic Direction
APECO Transport Infrastructure of roads will expand support for APECO’s broader thrust of transformative governance, contributing not only to economic growth but also to transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in public investment. By thoroughly reviewing programs and reallocating resources, APECO was able to find budgetary savings to fund these critical transport upgrades, reinforcing its commitment to responsible stewardship of public funds.
The upgraded roads are set to facilitate seamless movement of goods and people, with a direct impact on supply chain efficiency, reduction in transportation costs, and enhanced access for businesses. The improvement in logistics is expected to attract high-value industries—manufacturing, processing, warehousing, and even tourism—by providing reliable, robust connectivity within the region and to other ports in Luzon and beyond.
Positioning Casiguran as a Transshipment Hub
APECO transport infrastructure aligns with its long-term vision to become the Philippines’ next major transshipment and logistics hub. As global supply chains become more complex, having access to efficient transport networks is crucial for competitiveness. The zone’s access to the Pacific shores, coupled with upgraded roads, creates a unique opportunity to link domestic and international shipping routes, catering to a rising demand for global export and import activities.
By focusing on physical road assets, APECO is addressing one of the core needs of both current locators and future investors—logistics readiness. The authority’s ongoing road rehabilitation and expansion are not just improvements in concrete and asphalt; they represent forward-looking investments in the ecozone’s competitive positioning. As these road projects reach completion, APECO anticipates stronger investor confidence, a higher volume of investment inflows, and broader socio-economic benefits for the people of Aurora.
