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0( lllf ■ rl;!Q)
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 1575
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE AND FREEPORT IN 
THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS NORTE, CREATING FOR THIS PURPOSE THE 
ILOCOS NORTE SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE AND FREEPORT AUTHORITY, 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 20, Article II of the 1987 Constitution states that, "The State recognizes 
the indispensable roie of the private sector, encourages private enterprise, and 
provides incentives to needed investments. "The State needs to significantly improve 
and develop tourism and economic activities in the country to hasten the recovery 
from the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have been used as an effective mechanism 
in addressing the challenges of globalization. Countries like China, Singapore, Malaysia 
and South Korea have been very active in implementing SEZs as a means of attracting 
foreign investments, jobs opportunities, and the generation of exports. Moreover, 
SEZs have opened employment to more than 2,000,000 Filipinos and a total 
investments amounting to billions of pesos.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) estimates 
that some countries will channel over 70% of their exports through SEZs, which 
function mostly as separate customs territories. According to the Hamburg Port 
Consulting (HPC), SEZs are vital to the development of international trade due to their 
capabilities to boost export volumes. Consequently, they represent an important 
element in the recovery of the economy after the pandemic.
Ilocos Norte also known as the "Gateway to the North"\s in close proximity to 
the major economic hubs in Asia such as China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, which makes 
the creation of a Special Economic Zone ideal. Most of the province's revenue comes 
from agriculture and, in recent years, tourism. The ecozone will definitely provide 
economic stability not just to the Province of Ilocos Norte but also to its neighboring 
provinces.


To keep pace with global competition, this bill seeks to establish a Special 
Economic Zone and Freeport in the Province of Ilocos Norte to further reduce poverty 
by promoting and accelerating sound and sustainable industrial, economic and social 
growth.
This measure was filed by Rep. Imelda R. Marcos during the 17th Congress and 
was approved on Third and Final Reading during the 17th Congress. During the 18th 
Congress, this bill was filed and sponsored by Senator Imee R. Marcos, as the 
Chairperson of the Senate Economic Affairs Committee, taking into consideration the
new laws.
In light of this, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
IMEE R. MARCOS


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: P(<1 rj>
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
*22 NOV 29 P6:29
RLCEiV' c l) BV
SENATE
S.B. No. 1575
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE AND FREEPORT IN 
THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS NORTE, CREATING FOR THIS PURPOSE THE 
ILOCOS NORTE SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE AND FREEPORT AUTHORITY, 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Hocos Norte Special 
Economic Zone and Freeport Act".
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is declared the policy of the State to 
encourage, promote, and accelerate the sound and balanced industrial, economic, and 
social development of the country. The establishment of special economic zones shall 
attract legitimate and productive foreign investments in strategic locations in the 
country. It shall generate employment and increase productivity and individual, as 
well as family incomes, thereby enhancing the quality of life of the Filipino people.
CHAPTER II
CREATION OF ECONOMIC ZONE
SEC. 3. Creation of the Hocos Norte Special Economic Zone and 
Freeport. - In accordance with the foregoing declared policy and subject to the 
concurrence of the concerned local government units (LGUs) of Hocos Norte affected 
by the zone, there is hereby established a Special Economic Zone and Freeport, 
hereinafter referred to as the Hocos Norte Ecozone. The Hocos Norte Ecozone shall 
cover particular areas located in the Municipalities of Badoc, Currimao, Paoay, and 
Laoag City. The specific metes and bounds of the Hocos Norte Ecozone shall be more 
particularly defined in a presidential proclamation that shall be issued for this purpose:


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Provided, That the lands embraced therein shall be public lands and contiguous to one 
another.
SEC. 4. Creation of the liocos Norte Special Economic Zone and 
Freeport Authority. - There is hereby created a body corporate to be known as the 
"Ilocos Norte Special Economic Zone Authority" hereinafter referred to as the INSEZA, 
which shall manage and operate the Ilocos Norte Ecozone, in accordance with the 
provisions of this Act. This corporate franchise shall expire in fifty (50) years and 
counted from the first year after the effectivity of this Act, unless otherwise extended 
by Congress. It shall be organized within one hundred eighty (180) days after the 
effectivity of this Act.
SEC. 5. Governing Principles. - The Ilocos Norte Special Economic Zone 
and Freeport shall be managed and operated by INSEZA under the following 
principles:
(a) Within the framework and limitations of the Constitution and applicable 
provisions of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the "Local 
Government Code of 1991", the Ilocos Norte Ecozone shall be developed 
into and operated as a decentralized self-reliant and self-sustaining 
industrial, commercial/trading, agro-industrial, tourist, banking, financial 
and investment center with suitable residential areas;
(b) The Ilocos Norte Ecozone shall be provided with transportation, 
telecommunications, and other facilities needed to attract legitimate and 
productive investments, generate linkage industries and employment 
opportunities for the people of Ilocos Norte and its neighboring towns and 
cities;
(c) The Ilocos Norte Ecozone may establish mutually beneficial economic 
relations with other entities or enterprises within the country or, subject to 
the administrative guidance of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the 
Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), and/or the Department of Trade 
and Industry (DTI), with foreign entities or enterprises;
(d) Foreign citizens and companies owned by non-Filipinos, in whatever 
proportion, may set up enterprise in the Ilocos Norte Zone, either by 
themselves or in a joint venture with Filipinos in any sector of industry, 
international trade and commerce within the Ilocos Norte Ecozone;
(e) The Ilocos Norte Ecozone shall be managed and operated as separate customs 
territory thereby ensuring the free flow or movement of goods and capital 
within, into and out of its territory, and shall likewise provide incentives such 
as tax and duty-free importations of raw materials, capital and equipment to 
registered enterprises located therein. Flowever, exportation or removal of 
goods from the territory of the Ilocos Norte Ecozone to the other parts of the 
Philippine territory shall be subject to customs duties and taxes under Republic


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Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the "Customs Modernization and Tariff 
Act"ar\6 other relevant tax laws of the Philippines;
(f) The areas comprising the Ilocos Norte Ecozone may be expanded or reduced
when necessary. For this purpose, the INSEZA, in consultation with the LGUs, 
shall have the power to acquire either by purchase, negotiation or 
condemnation proceedings, any private land within or adjacent to the Ilocos 
Norte Ecozone for the following purposes: (1) consolidation of lands for zone 
development; (2) acquisition of right of way to the Ilocos Norte Ecozone; and 
(3) the protection of watershed areas and natural assets valuable to the 
property of Ilocos Norte Ecozone;
(g) Goods manufactured by an Ilocos Norte Ecozone enterprise shall be made 
available for immediate retail sale in the domestic market, subject to the 
payment of corresponding taxes on raw materials and other regulations that 
may be formulated by the INSEZA together with the PEZA, the Bureau of 
Customs (BOC), and the DTI. However, in order to protect domestic 
industries, a Negative List of industries shall be drawn up and regularly 
updated by PEZA. Enterprises engaged in industries included in such Negative 
List shall not be allowed to sell their products locally;
(h) The defense of the Ilocos Norte Ecozone and the security of its perimeter fence
shall be the responsibility of the National Government, in coordination with 
INSEZA and the LGUs.
SEC. 6. Capitalization. -The INSEZA shall have an authorized capital stock of 
Two billion (2,000,000,000) no par shares with a minimum issue of Ten pesos 
(PhPlO.OO) each, the majority shares of which shall be subscribed and paid for by the 
National Government and LGUs embracing the Ilocos Norte Special Economic Zone 
and Freeport. The Board of Directors of INSEZA may, with the written concurrence of 
the Secretary of Finance may determine. The National Government and the LGUs shall 
in no case own less than sixty per centum (60%) of the total issued and outstanding 
capital of INSEZA.
The amount necessary to subscribe and pay for the shares of the National 
Government to the capital stock of the INSEZA shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. For LGUs, the funds shall be taken from their internal revenue 
allotment and other local funds.
SEC. 7. Principal Office of the INSEZA. - The INSEZA shall maintain its 
principal office at Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, but it may establish branches within the 
Philippines as may be necessary for the proper conduct of its business.
SEC. 8. Powers and Functions of the INSEZA. - The INSEZA shall have the 
following powers and functions:


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(a) To operate, administer, manage and develop the Ilocos Norte Ecozone 
according to the principles and provisions set forth in this Act;
(b) To register, regulate and supervise the enterprises in the Ilocos Norte Ecozone 
in an efficient and decentralized manner, subject to existing laws;
(c) To coordinate with LGUs and exercise general supervision over the 
development plans, activities and operations of the Ilocos Norte Ecozone;
(d) To regulate and undertake the establishment and construction, operation and 
maintenance of public utilities, other services, and infrastructure in the Ilocos 
Norte Ecozone such as light and power, shipping, barging, stevedoring, cargo 
handling, hauling, warehousing, storage and cargo, port services or 
concessions, piers, wharves, bulkheads, bulk terminals, mooring areas, 
storage areas, roads, telecommunications, transport, bridges, terminals, 
conveyors, water supply and storage, sewage, drainage, airport operations in 
coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and 
such other sendees and concessions or infrastructure necessary or incidental 
to the accomplishment of the objectives of this Act;
(e) To construct, acquire, own, lease, operate and maintain on its own or through 
contracts, franchise, licenses, bulk purchase from the private sector or permits 
under any of the schemes allowed in Republic Act No. 6597, otherwise known 
as the "BuHt-Operate-Transfer Law"as amended, or joint venture, adequate 
facilities and infrastructure required or needed for the operation and 
development of the Ilocos Norte Ecozone, in coordination with the appropriate 
national and local government authorities and in conformity with applicable 
law's thereon;
(f) To approve plans, programs and projects of the Ilocos Norte Ecozone to be 
submitted to the Regional Development Council for inclusion and inputs to the 
overall regional development plan;
(g) To raise or borrow, within the limitation provided by law, and subject to the 
approval or opinion of the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentra! ng Pilipinas 
(BSP), as the case may be, adequate and necessary funds from local or foreign 
sources, to finance its projects and programs under this Act and for this 
purpose, to issue bonds, promissory notes and other forms of securities, and 
to secure the same by a guarantee, pledge, mortgage, deed of trust or an 
assignment of all or part of its property or assets;
(h) To create, operate and/or contract to operate such functional units or offices 
of the INSEZA, as it may deem necessary;
(i) To adopt, alter and use a corporate seal; contract, lease, buy, acquire, own 
or otherwise dispose of personal and/or real property of whatever nature; sue 
and be sued; and otherwise carry out its functions and duties, as provided for 
in this Act;
(j) To issue certificates of origin for products manufactured or processed in the 
Ilocos Norte Ecozone in accordance with prevailing rules of origin and the


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pertinent regulations of the PEZA, the DTI, and/or the Department of Finance 
(DOF);
(k) To establish one-stop shops for the issuance of all necessary permits, 
clearances, licenses, and other similar certifications to conduct such activities 
intended to improve the ease of doing business within the Ilocos Norte 
Ecozone, in coordination with government agencies having jurisdiction over 
activities therein; Provided, That all government agencies are directed to 
provide and extend utmost and full cooperation to the Ilocos Norte Ecozone 
in the establishment of such one-stop shops;
(l) To provide internal security to the Ilocos Norte Ecozone, in coordination with 
the National Government and affected LGU. For this purpose, the INSEZA shall 
provide and establish its own internal security and fire fighting forces or hire 
others to provide the same. Military forces sent by the National Government 
for the purpose of defense shall not interfere in the internal affairs of the 
Ilocos Norte Ecozone and expenditures for these military forces shall be borne 
by the National Government;
(m) To recommend to the President of the Philippines the issuance of a 
proclamation to fix and delimit the site of Ilocos Norte Ecozone;
(n) To exercise such powers as may be essential, necessary or incidental to the 
powers granted to it hereunder, as well as those that shall enable to carry 
out, implement and accomplish the purposes, objectives and policies of this 
Act; and
(o) To issue, rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of this Act as 
may be necessary to accomplish and implement the purposes, objectives and 
policies provided herein.
SEC. 9. Board of Directors of the INSEZA. - The powers of the INSEZA shall 
be vested in and exercised by a Board of Directors, hereinafter referred to as the 
"Board", which shall be composed of the following:
(a) The Chairperson, who shall at the same time be the administrator of the 
INSEZA;
(b) Governor of the Province of Ilocos Norte or a duly-authorized representative;
(c) One of the mayors of the city and municipalities covered by the ecozone;
(d) One (1) representative from the investor’s group; and
(e) One (1) representative from among the workers in the Ilocos Norte Ecozone.
The Vice Chairperson shall be selected from among the members of the Board.
The representative from the Provincial Government and the one of the mayors 
of the city and municipalities covered by the ecozone shall serve as ex-officio vn&mbevs 
of the Board, whose terms in the Board correspond to their terms as elected officials.
The Chairperson and members of the Board, except ex-officio members, shall be


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appointed by the President of the Philippines to serve for a term of six (6) years unless 
sooner separated from service due to death, voluntary resignation or removal for 
cause. In case of death, resignation or removal for cause, their replacements shall 
serve only the unexpired portion of the respective terms.
The Chairperson of the Board must be a Filipino citizen, of good moral character, 
of proven probity and integrity, and a degree holder in any of the following fields: 
economics, business, public administration, law, management or their equivalent, and 
with at least ten (10) years relevant working experience preferably in the field of 
management or public administration.
The members of the Board, except the ex-officio members, shall each receive 
per diem rates to be determined by the Department of Budget and Management 
(DBM) in accordance with existing rules and regulations: Provided, however, That the 
total per diem collected each month shall not exceed the equivalent per diem for four 
(4) meetings. Unless and until the President of the Philippines has fixed for a higher 
per diem for the members of the Board, such per diem shall not be more than ten 
thousand pesos (Php 10,000.00) for every Board meeting.
SEC. 10. Organization and Personnei. - The Board of Directors of INSEZA 
shall provide for its organization and staff. The Board shall appoint and fix the 
remuneration and other emoluments of its officers and employees in accordance with 
existing laws on compensation and position classification. The Board shall have 
exclusive and final authority to promote, transfer, assign, reassign or remove officers 
of the INSEZA, any provision of existing law to the contrary notwithstanding. The 
Chairperson- Administrator shall carry out the decisions of the Board.
The officers and employees of INSEZA, including all members of the Board, 
shall not engage directly or indirectly in partisan activities nor take part in any 
election, except to vote.
No officer or employee of the INSEZA, subject to civil service laws and 
regulations, shall be removed or suspended except for cause, as provided by law.
SEC. 11. Powers and Duties of the Chairperson-Administrator.
Chairperson- Administrator shall have the following powers and duties:
(a) To direct and manage the affairs of the INSEZA, in accordance with the 
polices of the Board;
(b) To establish the internal organization of the INSEZA under such 
conditions that the Board may prescribe;
(c) To submit an annual budget and necessary supplemental budget to the 
Board for its approval;
The


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(d) To submit within thirty (30) days after the close of each fiscal year and 
annual report to the Board and such other reports as may be required;
(e) To submit to the Board for its approval, policies, systems, procedures, 
rules and regulations that are essential to the operation of the Ilocos 
Norte Ecozone;
(f) To recommend to the Board the remuneration and other emoluments of its 
officers and employees in accordance with existing laws on compensation 
and position classification;
(g) To create a mechanism in coordination with relevant agencies for the 
promotion of industrial peace, the protection of the environment, and the 
advancement of the quality of life in the Ilocos Norte Ecozone; and
(h) To perform such other duties, as may be assigned by the Board or which 
are necessary or incidental to the office.
SEC. 12. Legal Counsel. -The INSEZA shall have its own legal counsel under 
the supervision of the government corporate counsel. When the exigencies of its 
businesses and operations demand it, the INSEZA may engage the services of an 
outside counsel either on a case to case or on a fixed retainer basis.
CHAPTER III
INCENTIVES TO ECOZONE ENTERPRISES/INVESTORS
SEC. 13. Investors Visa. - Any foreign national who invests an amount of 
Two hundred thousand US dollars (US$200,000.00), either in cash and/or equipment, 
in a registered enterprise shall be entitled to an investor's visa: Provided, That the 
foreign national:
a) 
Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age;
b) 
Must not have been convicted by final judgment of a crime involving moral 
turpitude;
c) 
Must not be afflicted with any loathsome, dangerous or contagious 
disease;
d) 
Must not have been confined in an institution for any mental disorder or 
disability; and
e) 
Must be financially capable as borne out by credible and verifiable 
evidence.
A foreign national may reside in the Philippines while the investment subsists. 
To prove this, the foreign national shall submit an annual report in the form duly


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prescribed for the purpose. Should said investrnents be withdrawn from the 
Philippines, the investor's visa issued to said foreign national shall automatically expire 
and/or be withdrawn.
The authority to issue visas and work permits shall remain with the Bureau of 
Immigration (BI) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), respectively: 
Provided, That the BI and the DOLE shall implement measures to expedite the 
processing of such visas and permits for workers in the Ilocos Norte Ecozone and 
coordinate with the INSEZA for the purpose of improving ease of doing business.
SEC. 14. Fiscal Incentives. - Registered enterprises operating within the 
Ilocos Norte Ecozone may be entitled to the existing fiscal incentives provided and 
granted under Title XIII (Tax Incentives) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 
1997, as amended by Republic Act No. 11534, otherwise known as the "Corporate 
Recovery and Tax Incentives For Enterprises Act".
SEC. 15. Administration, Implementation and Monitoring of 
Incentives. - In the interest of enhancing transparency in the management and 
accounting of tax incentives in the INSEZA, and ensuring the proper administration, 
management, enforcement, implem
entation and monitoring of tax incentives, the Ilocos Norte Ecozone shall 
comply with the provisions of Republic Act No. 11534, otherwise known as the 
"Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives For Enterprises Act".
The BOC shall set up and establish a customs-controlled area outside the 
premises of the Ilocos Norte Ecozone to facilitate payment of duties and taxes on 
goods entering the Philippine customs territory: Provided, That notwithstanding the 
limitations on this Act, the Ilocos Norte Ecozone and BOC may coordinate and jointly 
implement measures on border protection.
SEC. 16. Banking Rules and Regulations. - Banks and financial institutions 
to be established in the Ilocos Norte Ecozone shall be under the supen/ision of the 
BSP and subject to existing banking laws, rules and regulations.
SEC. 17. Remittances. - In the case of foreign investments, a duly registered 
entity or enterprise within the Ilocos Norte Ecozone shall have the right to remit 
earnings from the investment in the currency in which the investment was originally 
made and at the exchange rate prevailing at the time of remittance, subject to the 
provisions of Republic Act No. 7653, otherwise known as the "New Central Bank Act".


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CHAPTER IV
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AND OTHER ENTITIES
SEC. 18. Supervision and Control. - For purposes of policy direction and 
coordination, the INSEZA shall be under the direct control and supervision of the Office 
of the President of the Philippines.
SEC. 19. Development Goals of the liocos Norte Ecozone. -The INSEZA 
shall determine the development goals for the Ilocos Norte Ecozone within the 
framework of national development plans, policies, and goals. The Chairperson and 
Administrator shall, upon approval by the Board, submit the Ilocos Norte Ecozone 
plans, programs and projects to the Regional Development Council for inclusion and 
inputs to the overall regional development plant.
SEC. 20. Relationship with Local Government Units. - Except as herein 
provided, the LGUs comprising the Ilocos Norte Ecozone shall retain their basic 
autonomy and identity. The Municipalities of Badoc, Currimao, Paoay, and Laoag City 
in Ilocos Norte shall operate and function in accordance with the framework of the 
1987 Constitution, Local Government Code of 1991, and this Act.
In case of any conflict among the INSEZA, the LGUs, and the National 
Government on matters affecting the Ilocos Norte Ecozone, other than national 
defense and security matters, the decision of the INSEZA shall prevail.
SEC. 21. Audit. - The Commission on Audit shall appoint a full-time editor in 
the INSEZA or may assign such number of personnel as may be necessary in the 
performance of their functions.
CHAPTER V
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SEC. 22. Interpretation/Construction. - The powers, authorities and 
functions that are vested in the INSEZA are intended to establish national self- 
sufficiency and self-reliance in the advancement of and protection of the national 
integrity, enhancement of national security, decentralization of government functions 
and authority, and promote an efficient and effective working relationship among the 
INSEZA, the National Government and the LGUs. Any interpretation of this Act shall 
consider such intentions. In the event of conflict of interpretation and provided by the 
intentions cannot be harmonized, the provisions of this Act shall be construed in favour 
of an interpretation that would tend to protect national security.
SEC. 23. Applicability Clause. - Insofar as they are inconsistent with the


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provisions of this Act, the provisions of Section 30 to 41 of Republic Act No. 7916, 
otherwise known as 'The Special Economic Zone Act of 1995", as amended, shall 
likewise apply to the Ilocos Norte Ecozone.
SEC. 24. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The National Economic 
and Development Authority (NEDA), in coordination with the DTI and DOF, shall 
formulate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act within ninety (90) days 
after the approval of this Act.
SEC. 25. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be held 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in 
full force and effects
SEC. 26. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders or issuances or any 
part thereof, which are inconsistent herewith, are hereby repealed or amended 
accordingly.
SEC. 27. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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