PEZA explores pharma ecozone investments with Unilab

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), led by Director General Tereso O. Panga, recently met with officials from Unilab, Inc. on December 11, 2024, to discuss potential ecozone investment opportunities under the CREATE MORE regime. This strategic move aims to attract more pharmaceutical and medical-related investments, strengthening the country’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector and supporting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s initiatives to localize production and reduce the cost of medicines for Filipinos.

During the meeting, Panga highlighted the benefits of PEZA’s partnership with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), particularly the exclusive green lane arrangement that facilitates FDA-related processes for PEZA locators.

This arrangement, along with PEZA’s one-stop-shop facility, provides a seamless and efficient process for companies like Unilab to operate within PEZA zones. These advantages are designed to not only boost the ease of doing business but also offer pharmaceutical companies fiscal incentives and enhanced operational support.

Unilab, one of the Philippines’ largest pharmaceutical companies, is known for its wide range of healthcare products, including prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, food supplements, and biotechnology products. The meeting explored Unilab's potential role in the development of ecozones for pharma manufacturing, aligning with PEZA’s ongoing efforts to promote the growth of the country’s healthcare sector.

Apart from its proposed new ventures in the pharmaceutical sector, Unilab’s parent company, the Campos family, already has significant investments within PEZA-registered ecozone projects.

These include the Philippine Packing Agricultural Export Processing Zone, which hosts operations of its subsidiary Del Monte Foods, and the JY Campos IT Centre, home to Convergys, one of the largest IT investors in the country. These successful ventures further strengthen the case for expanding into the pharmaceutical sector within PEZA’s zones.