‘CREATE MORE’ to spur more businesses in Central, Northern Luzon

BAGUIO CITY (November 12, 2024) -- The newly passed law Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE), Republic Act (RA) 12066, is expected to spur briskier business in Central and Northern Luzon, the state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said.

It seen to help strengthen Clark’s position as one of the best business and investment destinations in the Asia Pacific region, BCDA added, as it welcomed the law making the Philippine tax incentives regime more globally competitive and helping the country attract more investments, generate new jobs, and accelerate economic growth. 

Under RA 12066, the maximum duration of tax incentives availment is extended to 27 years from 17 years, corporate income tax rate is reduced to 20 percent from 25 percent, and a 100-percent additional deduction on power expenses is granted to cut the costs for the manufacturing sector, among others.

“The passage of CREATE MORE into law sends a strong message to investors across the globe that the Philippines is among the best investment destinations in the region. In support of the national government’s goal to become an upper middle-income country, we at BCDA promise to work closely with the public and private sectors in unlocking the full potential of Clark, along with the other special economic zones we own and operate, to continue boosting the country’s economic growth and progress,” said BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang said.

The Clark metropolis consists of Clark International Airport, Clark Freeport Zone, and BCDA’s latest flagship project New Clark City. New Clark City is a 9,450-hectare greenfield development inside the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone positioned to be an inclusive, resilient, sustainable, and smart city. The development of Clark forms part of the efforts of Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go to drive investments in the country and make the Philippines a top investment destination.

In a vote of confidence, Japan-based credit watcher Rating and Investment Information Inc. (R&I) in August 2024 upgraded the Philippines' foreign currency issuer rating to "A-" with a stable outlook, citing the country's projected stable growth and the continuous improvement of its national income. The Philippine economy remains one of the fastest growing in the region, expanding by 5.2% in the third quarter of the year.

Transforming Clark into Asia Pacific’s next investment hub is BCDA’s contribution to the economic agenda of the Marcos administration’s Build Better More program, Bingcang vowed. Its development is expected to help decongest Metro Manila and catalyze socioeconomic growth in Central and Northern Luzon, he stressed.