Aurora Province is set to become the Philippines’ “Gateway to the Pacific” after the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) joined forces with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center of the Philippines to accelerate key infrastructure projects.
A memorandum of agreement signed on May 21 in Casiguran formalizes collaboration to fast-track the Casiguran International New Port (CINP) and the Casiguran International Airport—two flagship projects that promise to transform the region into a major trade and transport hub.
APECO CEO Undersecretary Gil G. Taway IV said the partnership will streamline project preparation and improve investor readiness, paving the way for faster implementation. “The port will become a central maritime logistics hub, and the airport will enhance air connectivity, linking Aurora to Pacific trade routes,” he explained.
The PPP Center will provide technical support on feasibility studies, project structuring, and procurement while ensuring projects meet standards for private sector participation.
Support through the Project Development and Monitoring Facility is expected to boost project bankability and shorten timelines.
The collaboration goes beyond transport infrastructure, opening doors for investments in tourism, industry, pharmaceuticals, and defense-related projects across the ecozone.
PPP Center Executive Director Usec. Rizza Blanco-Latorre said the initiative reinforces the government’s push for inclusive, bankable, and future-ready infrastructure, while strengthening Aurora’s role in the Luzon growth corridor.
The deal builds on a recent workshop that produced initial concept notes for priority projects, laying the groundwork for a faster, more efficient rollout.
