The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Development Committee (RDCom) visited the Cagayan North International Airport (CNIA) in Lal-lo and Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Free Port in Sta. Ana, both in the province of Cagayan.
NEDA Regional Development Group (RDG) Assistant Secretary Greg L. Pineda was joined by NEDA CALABARZON Director Luis G. Banua and NEDA Eastern Visayas Director Bonifacio G. Uy. NEDA Caraga was represented by Chief Economic Development Specialist Junjie B. Crisante.
RDCom, accompanied by NEDA Cagayan Valley staff led by RD Dionisio C. Ledres, Jr., met with Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) Department Manager Cir Rodney C. Cacatian during a guided visit to CNIA. The airport opened in 2019 and has been receiving domestic and international flights since. After the CNIA visit, the team travelled to the CEZA Corporate Center in Sta. Ana for a briefing on CEZA programs, projects, and activities, where they were welcomed by Head Technical Assistant Leonardo C. Cruz. CEZA presented its proposed development which is envisioned to be a multi-modal ladder with five major urban nodes: Port Irene, Centro, San Vicente District 1 (The Marina), San Vicente District 2 (The Resorts), and Sinago.
During the last part of the visit, the NEDA team headed to Port Irene to see the ongoing projects. CEZA officials walked the NEDA team through the newly-completed warehouse and warehouse offices. Each unit of warehouse has an area of 5,640 square meters. The NEDA team also checked the ongoing bridge retrofitting in the port while being guided by project engineers. CEZA officials shared that the concrete structures have deteriorated due to aging. Hollowed parts under the bridge attract birds that later lay their nests in the crevices.
CEZA officials invited the NEDA team for the inauguration of the CEZA Corporate Center and Commercial Center that are at the final phase of construction. The inauguration is expected to take place in June this year. After the completion of the two buildings in the Centro District, numerous development projects are still lined up within CEZA’s urban nodes, with each district interconnected by a transport backbone. #NEDA RO2-Nicole Pagulong