President Marcos Creates Innovation Hub and Protected Area
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has established a new innovation hub in Biñan, Laguna, and declared a protected landscape in San Francisco, Quezon. These significant moves aim to boost science, technology, and environmental conservation in the Philippines.
On July 30, Marcos signed Proclamation 985, officially designating a 50,000-square-meter site at the De La Salle University Science and Technology Complex in Biñan as a knowledge, innovation, science, and technology ecozone. This new ecozone, called the De La Salle University Innovation Hub, is expected to foster research and development in the region.
De La Salle University Innovation Hub
Created under the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 (Republic Act 7916), as amended by RA 8748, the innovation hub was established following the recommendation of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority’s Board of Directors. This law encourages economic progress by developing special zones with the potential to become centers for agro-industrial, industrial, commercial, or financial activities.
Special economic zones like this innovation hub are designed to attract investments and stimulate growth in strategic sectors, particularly science and technology. Local leaders noted that this development will provide opportunities for collaboration among academia, private companies, and government agencies.
San Francisco Protected Landscape Declared
In another landmark move, President Marcos signed Republic Act 12229 on July 23, declaring a 29.6-hectare land in San Francisco, Quezon, as a protected landscape. This area forms part of the Mulanay Watershed Forest Reserve, known for its rich biodiversity and ecological significance.
The San Francisco Protected Landscape, classified as a national park, will be conserved and managed through a collaborative approach involving national and local governments, non-governmental organizations, private stakeholders, and local communities.
Management and Funding of the Protected Area
To oversee this protected area, the law creates a Protected Area Management Board chaired by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. A Protected Management Office will handle daily operations, ensuring the conservation efforts are effective and sustainable.
Funding is secured through a trust fund that supports project financing and maintenance. Seventy-five percent of all revenues generated will be retained locally, while the remaining 25 percent will go to the national treasury. The fund may also receive grants and donations from local and international sources.
Marcos’s administration emphasizes that this integrated approach will help protect the environment while allowing communities to benefit from its resources responsibly.
A copy of the proclamation and the law was made available through official government channels recently, signaling the government’s commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship.
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