Villanueva seeks passage of bill creating Central Luzon investment corridor

Senator Joel Villanueva today sought the immediate passage of a bill creating the Regional Investment and Infrastructure Corporation (RIIC) of Central Luzon.

Villanueva joined the Senate Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises hearing on the said measure chaired by Sen. Dick Gordon held at Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center in Malolos, Bulacan on Thursday.

Under Senate Bill No. 1325 filed by Gordon, the creation of the Central Luzon investment corporation will decongest Metro Manila by dispersing industries to the Clark Freeport Zone, Freeport Area of Bataan, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, and other Special Economic Zones and promote foreign investment and infrastructure development in the region.

"This measure will significantly impact governance, way of doing business and ultimately, the life of every Filipino here in Central Luzon, in all its seven provinces, most especially here in our beloved province of Bulacan," said Villanueva who hails from Bulacan.

Villanueva underscored that Senate Bill No. 1325 is an importance piece of legislation because it will create an investment and infrastructure corridor in Central Luzon to encourage investors to put up their businesses and attract entrepreneurs to open up business opportunities.

"Marami pong assets ang Gitnang Luzon, partikular ang Bulacan. Gamitin po natin, sayang kung hindi mapapakinabangan sa layuning pagaanin ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan," Villanueva said.

"Kailangan lang po ng mangangasiwa, itong RIIC, 'yan po ang magiging daan para ma-maximize po natin ang ating mga imprastruktura, napakalawak po ng mga bakante at idle lands natin lalo na sa dinaraanan ng ating mga expressways," Villanueva added.

Villanueva further stressed that the RIIC will revitalize the tempo of our economic activities and of course, reduce regional inequalities and usher socio-economic development in Central Luzon.

"Pauusbungin po natin dito ang mga negosyo at trabaho para hindi na kailangang pumunta ng Metro Manila o mag-abroad pa ang ating mga kababayan para lang humanap ng trabaho," Villanueva said.

"Kapag naging batas ang Senate Bill No. 1325, wala pong duda na magiging bagong Job Generator ng bansa ang Central Luzon. A progressive Central Luzon means better Philippines," Villanueva concluded.