The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is teaming up with the International Finance Corp.–World Bank (IFC-WB) to launch the Eco-Industrial Park (EIP) initiative aimed at greening the country’s 427 economic zones and freeports.
IFC-WB will provide free technical assistance to help PEZA produce a diagnostic report mapping EIP opportunities nationwide.
“By drawing on IFC-WB’s expertise, we aim to develop a voluntary, transparent certification system that aligns our ecozones with global sustainability standards,” said PEZA director-general Tereso Panga.
The report will benchmark global frameworks, review enabling policies, assess environmental and socioeconomic impacts and lay out an implementation roadmap.
The certification will enable zone operators to benchmark performance and attract sustainability-focused investors.
Five zones were selected for the initial rollout, including the Lima Technology Center, First Philippine Industrial Park, Laguna Technopark, Light Industry and Science Park and Carmelray Industrial Park.
The said zones will serve as models for industrial symbiosis, where companies share resources such as water, energy and materials to boost efficiency and inclusive growth.
The EIP initiative complements PEZA’s broader sustainability agenda on Sustainability Reporting Guide for Exporters (SuRGE), launched with the Global Reporting Initiative and Swiss Embassy, and a partnership with Japan’s Zeroboard Inc. to help PEZA firms track and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
“These voluntary programs, for EIP certification, sustainability reporting, and decarbonization, demonstrate our commitment to ESG principles and the Sustainable Development Goals. They also position the Philippines as a hub for clean, green investment,” Panga said.
The government warned that unmitigated climate risks could cut the country’s gross domesic product by up to 13.6 percent by 2040.
