The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) is positioning its Pacific-facing ecozone as a future logistics and maritime gateway, betting that its location in northeastern Luzon could unlock new trade flows along the Philippines’ underutilized eastern seaboard.
APECO President and Chief Executive Officer Gil G. Taway IV will spotlight that ambition during the CEO Forum of the Philippine Ports & Logistics 2026 on March 11 at Solaire Resort.
Now in its 14th edition, the biennial conference gathers regional and global leaders in port operations, shipping, and supply chain management to discuss infrastructure investment and logistics innovations across the Asia-Pacific.
Taway said the event offers a platform to present APECO as a viable hub for maritime and logistics activity on Luzon’s Pacific side—an area long overshadowed by the country’s established western seaports.
“Our participation allows us to present APECO as a viable hub for ports, logistics, and supply chain development on the eastern seaboard,” Taway said, noting that the ecozone’s location could help support the country’s expanding trade networks while attracting fresh investment to Aurora.
Located in Casiguran, the ecozone has direct access to Pacific shipping lanes, a geographic advantage that could complement major Luzon ports such as those in Manila and Subic by diversifying cargo routes and easing congestion.
APECO is currently promoting opportunities in port infrastructure, integrated logistics hubs, cold storage facilities, fisheries logistics, maritime services, and defense-related manufacturing as part of its push to build a broader logistics ecosystem.
Industry observers say the strategy aligns with a wider national push to modernize ports and strengthen supply chains.
APECO’s Pacific orientation could give the Philippines a new gateway to regional markets—while bringing economic activity to Aurora and surrounding provinces that have historically remained on the periphery of the country’s trade network.
