Economic Zone Authority
The Philippine Experience
The government office administering the ecozones prior to the creation of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) was the existing Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) created under Presidential Decree No. 66. This decree promulgated by former Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos back in November 20, 1972 created the first ever export processing zones in the Philippines. All the functions and duties of EPZA personnel were transferred with the creation of the new PEZA board. The newly-created PEZA expanded the powers and functions of the previous EPZA so as to encompass all types of special economic zones.
EPZA was a bit limited to the operation of export processing zones only. There was a clear need to broaden its functions to include all types of special economic zones. The decree by former Pres. Marcos was meant to jumpstart economic development using a different approach at that time – letting foreign-owned but export-oriented businesses spearhead the country’s industrialization. It must be noted that the previous economic development policy of “import substitution” did not bring about the expected benefits due to strong opposition from well-entrenched so-called “economic nationalists” who advocated a “Filipino First” policy. It was simply “protectionism” with a nice name.
http://www.chanrobles.com/presidentialdecreeno1786.htm