The Board of Investments (BOI) has awarded the Gawad Bayanihan sa Pamumuhunan to the provincial government of Bulacan in recognition of its Invest Bulacan Plus program implemented by the Provincial Cooperative and Enterprise Development Office.
According to BOI-Investments Assistance Centre Executive Director Bobby Fondevilla, Bulacan’s strong advantages in attracting investments, particularly in renewable energy, have been evident. This is attributed to the ongoing infrastructure projects that will require significant power capacity, such as the upcoming North-South Commuter Railway Phases 1 and 2 (scheduled for 2027), Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (2028), and the New Manila International Airport (2028).
Additionally, the establishment of the new Bulacan Special Economic Zone and Freeport under Republic Act 11999, managed by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, the provincial government of Bulacan, and Megaworld’s Northwind project, is expected to further boost the province’s growth.
In addition to supplying the required electricity for industries, the power plants themselves are considered investments in Bulacan. The largest of these is the Terra Solar Project, which is currently building solar panels capable of generating 3,500 megawatts of electricity and a 4,000 megawatt-hour energy storage system.
This massive solar project spans a large portion of northern Bulacan and southern Nueva Ecija and represents a P200 billion investment, with P34 billion (or US$600 million) contributed by the British firm Actis. According to BOI data, P185.2 billion of this investment is allocated to the Bulacan section of the Terra Solar Project, generating approximately 4,165 new jobs.
Another solar project, the P157.26 million Berde Rooftop Inc. installation on the roof of Holcim Bulacan in Norzagaray, will supply 3,422 megawatt-hours and 2,900 megawatts of electricity, creating jobs for nine individuals.
De Vera emphasized that these initiatives will not only ensure a steady supply of electricity for railway and airport projects but also meet the energy demands of upcoming residential developments. For example, a new P1.9 billion worth of investments from five real estate projects approved by the BOI in 2024 includes the P538.7 million Seriya economic housing project by Ovialand Inc., P497.9 million Casa Segovia Phases 1A and 1B, P385.2 million Villa Marcela Homes by Cumberland Development Corporation (with 20% investment from China), P322.3 million Pagsibol Village-West by Raemulan Lands Inc., and P229.8 million Saffron Hills Phase 2 by The New APEC Development Corporation.
The additional power supply will also support nearly P500 million in new manufacturing investments, including the P323.07 million Extruded Full Fat Soya plant by Seastemas International Inc., P160.67 million Otobai Motorcycle Assembly OPC factory, and P13.91 million specialty metal and garment manufacturing company with investors from the British Virgin Islands.
Furthermore, Metro Pacific Fresh Farms Inc. has invested P875 million in high-quality vegetable plantations in San Rafael, with partners from Israel. This agribusiness investment has already created 72 jobs, and a total of 4,512 new jobs will be available for Bulakenyos due to these new investments.
Governor Daniel Fernando stated that these achievements are proof that the policies implemented by the provincial government in industry, trade, and employment are effective. He expressed confidence that these efforts will help Bulacan achieve its goal of becoming a “First World Province” in the coming decades.
(PIA Region 3-Bulacan | Shane F. Velasco)
