Bislig's planned economic zone has been pitched to private investors as a public-private partnership. But before any company can enjoy ecozone incentives there, the zone has to be registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), the national agency that oversees economic zones under Republic Act No. 7916, the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995.

City council records show a steady series of moves toward that goal over the past several months. Here is what each one does.

May 26: buy out the remaining private lots

At its 45th regular session on May 26, 2026, the Sangguniang Panlungsod adopted Resolution No. 2026-453, authored by Councilor Victor B. Alvar Jr. It adopts a resolution of the Bislig City Economic Zone Management Board asking Mayor Florencio C. Garay to prioritize, through the city's Land Banking Program, "the acquisition of all remaining privately owned lands and properties still under Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) within the City Economic Zone."

The resolution says the zone covers about 75 hectares, and that portions of it "remain privately owned and are presently covered by Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs)" with the city. The council's reasoning is that a "consolidated land base" is needed for infrastructure, investment promotion and industrial expansion.

July: the mayor becomes the city's official PEZA representative

Resolution No. 2026-586, also authored by Councilor Alvar, authorizes Mayor Garay to act as the city's official representative to PEZA "in all matters pertaining to the establishment, development, application, registration, and administration" of the proposed zone, including signing the necessary documents.

The resolution notes that PEZA's application and registration process requires "constant official representation, close coordination, and the timely execution" of legal and technical documents. It calls the zone "a priority development project" meant to position Bislig "as a major industrial, commercial, and agricultural investment hub" in Surigao del Sur.

August 11: four economic zone board resolutions adopted

On August 11, 2026, the council adopted four more resolutions of the economic zone management board:

  • Resolution No. 2026-666 asks PEZA to reclassify the Bislig City Economic Zone "from an Agro-Industrial Economic Zone to a Special Economic Zone."
  • Resolution No. 2026-667 declares that the "Bislig City Economic Zone" and the "Bislig Economic Zone" refer to "one and the same" project for all legal, administrative and official purposes. Both names appear in different documents, and the declaration avoids confusion during registration.
  • Resolution No. 2026-668 asks the Bislig City Water District for an updated certification, one of the requirements for establishing the zone.
  • Resolution No. 2026-669 asks the Provincial Government of Surigao del Sur for certified true copies of its resolutions, ordinances and plans related to the zone.

August 18: a survey after proclamation

A week later, Resolution No. 2026-699 asked PEZA to accept a verified survey of the zone as a "post-proclamation submission." In plain terms, the city is asking to be allowed to submit the verified land survey after the zone is proclaimed, rather than before.

That detail matters because, under the law, economic zones are created by presidential proclamation on PEZA's recommendation. The city's request suggests it is aiming for that proclamation without waiting for every technical document to be completed.

A project years in the making

The current push builds on earlier work. On February 4, 2022, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the city signed a memorandum of cooperation to set up the Bislig City Economic Zone, with MinDA promising technical help and investment promotion, as reported at the time by PortCalls Asia. The city's own concept note, prepared for a September 2026 investment forum, places the zone in Barangays San Vicente and Bucto and targets bidding for a private partner in late 2027.

What it means for local business

Nothing has been proclaimed yet, and the zone is not open for business. But PEZA registration is what would let locators claim tax and customs incentives, the main draw for outside investors. Bislig Today will report when PEZA acts on the city's requests.

Sources: Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bislig Resolution Nos. 2026-453, 2026-586, 2026-666 to 2026-669 and 2026-699, posted on the City Government of Bislig website; PortCalls Asia report on the MinDA and Bislig memorandum of cooperation (February 2022).