The projects are part of the “Bagong APECO” thrust for transformative governance, with funding sourced from savings generated after a thorough review of APECO’s programs and projects dating back to its creation in 2007.
On Aug. 12, APECO broke ground on the following key projects:
₱290-million Underground Power Distribution Line (UPDL) Phases 3 & 4
₱43-million four-lane APECO Central Expressway
₱42.42-million Spine Road Phase 3 APECO Perimeter Road
₱10.28-million Esteves to Binaoan Gate Road expansion
₱10-million Coastal Slope Protection with Road Construction Phases 1 & 2
₱20-million rehabilitation of JPEC Beachfront Villas — soon to be relaunched as the New Apeco Villas
“These projects are more than concrete, steel, and cables. They are the physical proof of Bagong APECO — a vision of a modern, inclusive, and sustainable economic zone that works not only for locators but also serves the people of Aurora,” said APECO president and CEO Atty. Gil G. Taway IV during the ceremony.
He stressed that these developments form the backbone of the ecozone and ensure APECO can confidently say “yes” when future investors ask if it is ready.
Powering a future-ready ecozone
Casiguran and APECO have long faced unreliable electricity, hindering high-value industries from locating in the area. The ₱290-million UPDL Phases 3 & 4 are designed to stabilize power supply and prepare the ecozone for renewable energy projects from future locators, as well as committed power deliveries from energy companies in coordination with the Department of Energy.
National Electrification Administration (NEA) Administrator Antonio Mariano C. Almeda, who attended the groundbreaking, called the project “a symbol of our unwavering dedication to support long-term progress in Casiguran, Aurora.”
“The UPDL project is a cornerstone in developing Apeco into a storm-resilient and future-ready ecozone, where the power system is both efficient and climate-adaptive,” Almeda said. “This expansion signals the growing momentum of investments and opportunities within this region.”
Road networks and logistics advantage
Apeco’s road projects — including the Central Expressway, Spine Road Phase 3, and Esteves-Binaoan expansion — are expected to improve logistics efficiency, enabling the smooth transport of raw materials, containerized goods, and oversized cargoes.
These upgrades aim to position APECO as a future transshipment hub, leveraging its strategic location fronting the Pacific Ocean.
Reviving tourism assets
Under its tourism properties unit, Apeco is also rehabilitating idle assets, beginning with the New APECO Villas. The ₱20-million renovation will convert a previously abandoned beachfront property into a revenue-generating hospitality facility, aligned with the zone’s new strategic direction.
“This project is part of our commitment to legacy locators who are realigning past investments to support Bagong APECO’s growth,” Taway said. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
