https://w.media/philippines-bataan-nuclear-power-plant-to-undergo-conversion-into-data-center/

Published:  May 17, 2023
BILYONARYO.COM

SM Prime Holdings, the integrated property arm of the Sy family, is gearing up to unveil its inaugural mall in Bataan province this Friday.
Spanning an impressive 46,000 square meters, SM City Bataan will enrich SM Prime’s expansive portfolio by delivering two levels of retail, dining, and entertainment options to the province.
Bataan province has long been revered by local and international tourists for its amalgamation of historical, natural, and educational attractions.

Jeffrey Lim, president of SM Prime, said: “We are very excited to open our new mall, SM City Bataan, in the province as we aim to add color to its rich culture and further spur economic activities that are set to provide significant growth opportunities, convenience, and entertainment to everyone.”

May 30, 2023 | Ronnie Salonga

Why should you invest in Bataan for your business?

1. Diverse Industries Thrive in Bataan
2. Boasts a thriving tourism scene
3. Produces a Wide Variety of Agricultural Products
4. Provides ease of accessibility to the Metro
5. Offers state-of-the-art industrial parks

Located in the heart of Central Luzon, Bataan presents a plethora of opportunities for savvy investors in search of sustainable growth and prosperity. With its strategic location, excellent infrastructure, and business-friendly atmosphere, Bataan has emerged as a flourishing center for diverse industries. Situated in close proximity to major ports, well-connected transportation networks, and a pool of skilled professionals, it offers an advantageous environment for businesses aiming to expand or establish their presence.
In this blog post, we invite you to explore why you should invest in Bataan in today’s dynamic market landscape.

Diverse Industries Thrive in Bataan

Bataan is widely acknowledged as a rapidly advancing metropolis in the Philippines, establishing itself as a prime destination for industrialization and investment. Beyond its capacity to accommodate numerous major corporations and industrial complexes, the region offers a wealth of employment opportunities for foreign investors.
The ongoing progress in Bataan translates into an expanded array of shopping centers, real estate ventures, and upgraded facilities, meticulously designed to cater to the specific requirements of international businesses.
Moreover, the forthcoming construction of the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge, set to commence in October, holds the promise of reduced prices for goods and services, as transportation and logistics costs dwindle, presenting a favorable environment for cost-conscious investors.

Boasts a Thriving Tourism Scene

When exploring new business opportunities, it is crucial to carefully assess the tourism landscape. This evaluation becomes essential as it directly affects the number of tourists and consumer interest, consequently influencing the demand for products and services. Furthermore, in today’s environmentally conscious era, a business’s commitment to eco-friendly practices can significantly shape customer perception.
Within Bataan’s borders lie captivating destinations, including the renowned Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, Five Fingers Cove, Anvaya Cove Beach, and Nature Club. These remarkable attractions not only showcase local artistry and a bygone era’s allure but also act as magnets, luring foreign investors to establish their enterprises in Bataan.
By leveraging the unique appeal of these extraordinary locations, businesses gain a distinct competitive edge, paving the way for unprecedented growth and prosperity.

Produces a Wide Variety of Agricultural Products

Bataan boasts a thriving agricultural sector that yields a diverse range of high quality products, including corn, rice, root crops, mangoes, bananas, and various vegetables. In the last quarter of 2022, the province was able to harvest 42,196 metric tons of rice alone.
The poultry industry in Bataan plays a vital role in enhancing the local economy, with carabaos and other poultry animals contributing to the region’s prosperity. In January 2023, the province reached a total of 1,153,591 heads for its inventory of livestock and poultry.
In addition to agriculture and poultry, Bataan’s fishing industry excels in the production of dried fish, commonly known as tuyo, while also engaging in fish exports to leverage surplus production. The skilled fishermen in Bataan are adept at constructing nets and fish traps, showcasing their expertise in the field. With the Subic and Bataan Freeport areas driving industrialization, foreign investors can anticipate rapid economic growth and development, particularly in the fisheries sector.

Provides Ease of Accessibility to the Metro

The Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge, spanning a distance of 32.12 kilometers, is a transformative infrastructure project that aims to significantly reduce travel time from Bataan to Cavite. Currently, a journey that takes approximately five hours will be reduced to a mere 20-30 minutes upon completion of the bridge. This monumental structure begins its course from Barangay Alas-asin in Mariveles, Bataan, traverses the vast expanse of Manila Bay, and concludes at Barangay Timalan in Naic, Cavite.
The province’s strategic connectivity is further enhanced by the presence of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). These well-established expressways provide convenient accessibility, serving as crucial arteries for transportation, which presents foreign investors with compelling reasons to forge partnerships with the local government in Bataan.

Offers State-of-the-Art Industrial Parks

Bataan stands as a prominent destination for industrial parks within the Philippines. These meticulously planned zones cater to the diverse needs of businesses and investors, whether they originate from local or foreign backgrounds. One key advantage of these industrial parks is their strategic placement in close proximity to seaports, airports, and major highways, ensuring seamless accessibility and streamlined logistics.
As emphasized in our previous blog entries, these industrial parks thrive on cutting-edge facilities, encompassing robust power, water, and telecommunication infrastructure. These critical amenities are specifically designed to bolster and facilitate smooth business operations, aligning with the evolving demands of modern enterprises.
The Hermosa Ecozone Industrial Park, established by Science Park of the Philippines, encompasses a sprawling 162-hectare expanse. Within this industrial park, SPPI ensures the provision of essential utilities and infrastructure to its esteemed locators. These include reliable power services, a robust communication system, an uninterrupted water supply, a well-developed road network, and a centralized wastewater treatment plant.
Moreover, SPPI goes the extra mile to ensure seamless operations for its locators by maintaining a dedicated on-the-ground management team. This team stands ready to provide round-the-clock assistance whenever locators require support, ensuring their needs are promptly addressed and allowing for uninterrupted business operations.

Key Takeaway
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Bataan’s industrial parks offer a compelling proposition for foreign investors seeking to establish or expand their businesses. The province provides a favorable environment with numerous competitive advantages, making it a wise investment choice.
Are you curious about why you should invest in Bataan today? Don’t hesitate to contact Science Park of the Philippines here. The establishment of the Hermosa Ecozone Industrial Park by Science Park of the Philippines demonstrates a commitment to providing a comprehensive and conducive environment for businesses and investors. Our team will gladly answer your inquiries about our different investment locations in the country.

https://sciencepark.com.ph/blog/why-invest-in-bataan/

By CNN Philippines Staff
Published Mar 14, 2023, 2:57:05 PM

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 14) — The government may start construction work on the multibillion-peso Bataan-Cavite bridge by “the latter part of this year,” Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said Tuesday.
Seeing it as a “very significant” project, Bonoan presented to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the planned 32-kilometer bridge across Manila Bay that would connect Cavite and Bataan.
The DPWH chief said building the bridge would require an investment of ₱175 billion.
“We intend to start construction towards the latter part of this year if we are able to procure the civil works. It will take maybe five years. We will try to have this completed before the term of the president (ends),” he said during a Palace briefing.
As the bridge would cut travel time, Bonoan said it would boost economic growth in both areas.
He noted that the Asian Development Bank estimated that the economic rate of return of the bridge is “more than 25%.”

Published: Aug 22, 2023
​MARIA VINNISE MARCELO .

To underscore the vital role of the youth in nation-building, the Provincial Government of Bataan, through its Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and Bataan Youth Development Office, held the International Youth Day Summit 2023, with the theme ‘Green Skills for Youth: Towards sustainable world’ at Lou-is Resort and Restaurant yesterday, August 22.
Among the resource speakers were Mr. Oliver Enriquez, representing the 1Bataan Health Promotion Board, OIC Head Raphael De Leon from the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office, and Mr. Michael Grande, President of the 4H Club, who discussed the promotion of healthy lifestyle, climate change, environmental justice and law, and engaging youth to agriculture respectively.
In her message, Vice Governor Ma. Cristina Garcia emphasized that one of the efforts of the Provincial Government to support the youth is the Iskolar ng Bataan program, where she started her commitment to public service. “Ipinagmamalaki ko po na more than 35,000 na po ang napagraduate ng Iskolar ng Bataan. From 5,000 iskolars noong 2005, ngayon may 13,000 na iskolars na tayo yearly, na talaga namang pinapaigting pa natin,” she said.
Bataan Youth Development Council, 1KBO Officers, Kabataan Volunteer Corps, 4Ps beneficiaries, and the Bataan Youth Council participated in said event.

Published: June 7, 2023 | 8:22 pm

Published: March 14, 2023 ​

BALANGA CITY, Bataan — Compared to other provinces, Bataan is more developed in terms of infrastructure, a top official of the Department of Public Works and Highways said Tuesday.
In an impromptu interview, District engineer Ulyses Llado, of DPWH 2nd engineering district, said that “as what we have observed and seen, Bataan is more developed and progressive.”
He said that Bataeños are lucky enough to have a good leaders like the Garcias who were behind the economic development and construction of various infrastructures in Bataan.
He said he had been detailed to various provinces in the region and that he personally observed that Bataan is more developed and progressive compared to other areas in Central Luzon.
Engr. Llado cited the strong, able and and sincere leadership of then governor now congressman Abet S Garcia, his younger brother former three-termer congressman now incumbent governor Joet S Garcia, Nine-year mayor of Dinalupihan town now congresswoman Gila Garcia (3rd district), and Mayor Francis S Garcia who is now on his third term as city mayor of Balanga.
The Garcias were siblings of the late longtime governor and congressman Tet Garcia who mentored them in public service.
Usually, most of the Garcias were running unopposed in the elections.
Llado also cited the Roman highway, a six-lane national road connecting from the province to nearby Subic that can be reached in 15 minutes only and Clark that can reached in 25 minutes drive via SCTex.
Newsmen learned that most of the fund of said highway was funded thru the initiative of Cong. Abet Garcia and Gov.Joet Garcia.
Llado also cited the successful construction of more than 40 kilometer concrete road from Mariveles to Bagac as one of the major accomplishments of the Garcias.
It was during Llado’s stint that this road was completed, opening more opportunities such as tourism between the two towns.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has added the municipality of Abucay and the city of Balanga in Bataan among its roster of Project TRANSFORM recipients, the Department’s program that engages the whole of society in implementing programs to alleviate poverty, strengthen community resilience, and promote strong public-private partnerships in the country.
Through the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on July 31, the DENR has forged two Project TRANSFORM partnerships where the DENR and public and private partners will implement the Mangrove Adoption and Protection Project in the two areas aimed to enhance the province’s resiliency amid natural disasters and climate change impacts.
Project TRANSFORM or Transdisciplinary Approach for Resilient and Sustainable Communities through Multistakeholder Engagement was launched in the municipalities of Limay, Mariveles, and Orion in the same province as pilot sites in Luzon on May 9.
TRANSFORM aims to bring together best practices from the government and private sectors to create an inclusive, science-based, and data-driven template that all stakeholders, partners, and local government units (LGU) may utilize to combat the escalating climate emergency.
Bataan Governor Jose Enrique “Joet” S. Garcia III said that Project TRANSFORM is a “timely and welcome catalyst” in the province’s journey towards resiliency and growth that results in stable and empowered families. The provincial government of Bataan has been pushing for the rehabilitation of mangrove forests as part of its primary and continuing efforts through the aid of various organizations.
The Bataan province, composed of 11 municipalities and 1 city is surrounded by the West Philippine Sea and Manila Bay. With a coastline of approximately 177 kilometers, mangroves play a vital role in the protection of Bataan against natural disasters as these serves as a natural barrier against storms and floods. Furthermore, it provides habitats for various marine species such as fish, prawns, and crabs, which consequently provides income for fisherfolks. Mangroves are also known to significantly aid in the fight against climate change as it has the ability to capture and store carbon four times greater than other tropical forests.
Under the partnership, the DENR will collaborate with the San Miguel Foundation Inc. (SMFI) and SM Prime Holdings, Inc. for the adoption and protection of mangrove areas in the municipality of Abucay and city of Balanga respectively.
The SMFI and SM Prime Holdings, Inc., through their corporate social responsibility programs, will provide the necessary funding as well as participate in all mangrove planting activities in the municipality of Abucay and Balanga City respectively.
The maintenance, conservation and enhancement of the adopted mangroves forests will also be supported by the Bataan provincial government, Abucay and Balanga LGUs, DENR Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office-Bataan, and DENR Community Environment and Natural Resources Office-Dinalupihan.
The Abucay Mangrove and Adoption Project is also in partnership with community-based organization Samahan ng Mananahong ng Sitio Bakawan. It will be carried out in Sitio Bakawan in Brgys. Wawa and Calaylayan, involving an estimated area of five hectares suitable for mangrove plantation.
Meanwhile, the Balanga City Mangrove Adoption and Protection Project will be in Brgy. Puerto Rivas, Ibaba comprising an estimated area of eight hectares and in partnership with community-based organization Tinig ng Mandaragat.
Specifically, activities under the agreement include the identification of mangrove areas to be protected and areas to be enhanced and rehabilitated, collection of mangrove propagules, the conduct of enrichment planting in the adopted site, provision of technical assistance in mangrove protection and evaluation, coordination with concerned national government agencies, and the conduct of information, education, and communication related to mangrove protection and the governing environmental laws.
Under DENR Administrative Order 15-90, the government promotes the conservation, protection, rehabilitation, and development of mangrove resources in the country and the active participation of organizations in its utilization and development.###

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https://denr.gov.ph/index.php/news-events/photo-releases/5612-mangrove-project-to-be-implemented-in-balanga-bataan

​March 14, 2023

The Marcos administration expects to boost the economic activity in Luzon and the entire country with the planned construction of an iconic P175-billion cable-stayed bridge that will connect the provinces of Cavite and Bataan.
In a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the construction of the Cavite-Bataan bridge will create better and more direct access between the northern and southern part of Metro Manila, Luzon’s two growth areas, which will significantly improve the region’s economic development.
“So, with this bridge, I think, you will have better access, a more direct access between these two growth areas and significantly it will actually improve the economic development not only in Luzon but for the entire country,” Bonoan explained.
“Malaki iyong benefits that have been derived. And no less than the Asian Development Bank has indicated that the economic rate of return of this bridge is more than 25 percent and that’s big, that’s really big,” the DPWH chief pointed out.
The construction of the major infrastructure will also cut the travel time from Manila to Bataan from three hours to less than an hour, Bonoan said, adding that the government expects to finish it in five years, or within the President Marcos’ term of office.
The 32-kilometer, four-lane Cavite-Bataan bridge that will be built across Manila Bay, will be composed of two big bridges: one measuring 400 meters and the other 900 meters.
“And this will be cable-stayed bridge – if you have seen cable-stayed bridges. And the detail engineering is now ongoing, it’s about 70 percent complete,” Bonoan told reporters.
“We told the President that it will be ready within the year actually to break ground the implementation of this very significant bridge,” the DPWH chief said.
Bonoan earlier presented to the President Tuesday that 1,500 kilometers of road and some 161 bridges were built and improved by the DPWH from July to December last year. (PND)