APECO made the pitch during engagements with the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC) delegation that visited the Philippines from Aug. 11 to 14, coinciding with the U.S. Aerospace, Defense, and Security (ADS) Mission.
U.S. engagements
During a reception hosted by U.S. Ambassador MaryKay L. Carlson in Makati City and at the ADS Business Networking event in Pasay City, APECO leaders highlighted the ecozone’s potential as a hub for warehousing, expansion projects, and defense-related services such as maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) of ships and aircraft.
APECO president and CEO Atty. Gil G. Taway IV, deputy administrator Angelo Gabriel D. Mantuano, and business development and marketing division manager Gene Angelo P. Ferrer led discussions with U.S. business leaders.
Strategic location
APECO’s natural harbor facing the Pacific positions it as a viable site for defense manufacturing companies, particularly those looking beyond Subic, while complementing the Philippines’ wider security and economic strategies.
One of its key assets is an operating airstrip, initially capable of servicing chartered flights. The investment promotion agency is working toward securing a Permit-to-Operate (PTO) from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to formalize operations, opening opportunities for future aircraft MRO activities.
“APECO offers a strategic location where U.S. defense companies can find room to grow, not in competition with Subic, but in complement to it. Together, these zones can strengthen the Philippines’ role in regional security and economic resilience,” Taway said.
Indo-Pacific role
Taway added that APECO’s direct access to the Pacific gives it a natural advantage for logistics and defense-related activities.
“The defense sector is a natural fit for us, given our location and resources. We see this as a step toward positioning APECO as not just a local ecozone, but a strategic player in the wider Indo-Pacific landscape,” he emphasized.
The US-ABC mission brought together leading companies across sectors to explore opportunities in the Philippines, underscoring the country’s growing role in regional security and freedom of navigation.
For APECO, the meetings highlighted its value proposition as a future-ready site for aerospace, defense, and security projects. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
