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HISTORICAL BACKDROP
Casiguran, founded on June 13, 1609, is one of the original towns of Aurora Province, established by Spanish missionaries. Prior to Spanish arrival, the Dumagats/Aetas were the early settlers, later joined by migrants from various parts of the Philippines. The name "Casiguran" is believed to originate from the word "kasiguruhan," colloquially translating to "safety" or "assurance."
At the time of the Philippines' independence on July 4, 1946, Aurora was part of Tayabas Province (now Quezon Province), and Casiguran stood as a lone northern town. Geopolitically, Casiguran was bordered by the Province of Isabela to the north, Quirino Province to the west, and Barangay Dinadiawan to the southwest, marking the boundary between the Municipality of Baler and Casiguran.
In subsequent years, political changes reshaped Casiguran's landscape. In 1959 and 1966, the barrios of Dilasag and Dinalungan, initially part of Casiguran, were established as separate municipalities. Dilasag situated in the northern region, and Dinalungan in the southwestern portion, further defined the evolving administrative boundaries of Casiguran.
GETTING THERE: LOCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES
APECO is conveniently situated in the bay area of Casiguran, a naturally protected enclave cradled by the Sierra Madre mountain range and the 12,000-hectare San Ildefonso Peninsula. The bay area is a perfect site against storms.
Northeastern part of Aurora Province, 353 kilometers from the capital city of Manila, and 120 kilometers from Baler, the capital of the province.
Bounded by the Pacific Ocean (southeast), Municipality of Dilasag (northeast), Municipality of Dinalungan (southwest), Quirino Province, and Sierra Madre Mountain ranges (northwest).
There is a fully concreted road network connecting Manila to Casiguran, covering 385 kilometers from Manila and 108 kilometers from Baler. By land, land travel from Metro Manila to APECO takes only five (5) to seven (7) hours through the very scenic route in the Sierra Madre Mountains. From Cubao, Quezon City, you may take a regular air conditioned passenger bus to Baler, Aurora. From Baler, you may take a passenger van to Casiguran. In Casiguran, the host municipality of APECO, the local residents use motorcycles and tricycles as a mode of transportation. The municipal public terminal is located near the municipal public market.
Aerial view of the APECO airstrip (2023)
By air, you may also reach APECO by way of private flight. There is a 1,320-meter Casiguran airstrip within the ecozone. There are also four (4) feeder airports in Aurora. One of them is the Dr. Juan C Angara Airport in San Luis, Aurora, which is 7 kilometers from Baler. The nearest major airports are: 1) Clark International Airport in Mabalacat, Pampanga, which is around 265.9 km from APECO, and 2) the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, which is 319 km from APECO. You may also reach APECO by sea from Baler.
Concept for the new APECO airstrip terminal
There are also four (4) feeder airports in Aurora. One of them is the Dr. Juan C Angara Airport in San Luis, Aurora, which is 7 kilometers from Baler. The nearest major airports are: 1) Clark International Airport in Mabalacat, Pampanga, which is around 265.9 km from APECO, and 2) the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, which is 319 km from APECO.
You may also reach APECO by sea from Baler. Within the area, there is an operational "Roll-on, Roll-off Port (RORO)".
APECO’s geographic location has a potential for an international seaport, as shown by existing studies by reputable financial institutions.
POLITICAL UNITS HOSTING APECO
APECO continues to be under the political ambit of its host Local Government Units, specifically the Congressional District of Aurora, the Province of Aurora, Municipality of Casiguran, and its barangays. Several of the local government executives sit in APECO’s Board of Directors. APECO remits a portion of its revenues to the national and local governments.
APECO Pres. Taway with Senate President Migs Zubiri, Sen Sonny Angara, Sen. Joel Villanueva, and APECO executives during a Senate hearing on November 15, 2023.
Like any ecozone in the country, APECO has its share of opposition from various community groups. They claim that APECO’s Charter suffers legal infirmities, benefits from APECO’s operations will not trickle down to the local population and ethnic minorities, and it will be a cause of graft and corruption. Some even clamored for the closure of APECO. Nevertheless, the appointment of President Gil G. Taway IV, APECO’s new President and CEO, serves as proof that APECO continues to enjoy the trust and confidence of the National Government.
ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF APECO AND AURORA
Agri-Aqua. Owing to its location, APECO provides a suitable and sustainable venue for agri-aqua industry. The zone is envisioned to host a modern Agri-Marine Center for high value marine products with fish port, reefer facilities and processing and canning provisions.
Agriculture is the primary industry in Aurora. About 15% of Aurora or 49,991 hectares is devoted to agriculture. APECO focused its attention on high value commodities , such as coconuts, bamboos, and seaweeds. Moreover, APECO is about 250 km from Philippine Rise, formerly known as the Benham Rise, a 13-hectare underwater plateau that is part of the Philippines’ continental shelf. It is potentially a rich source of natural gas, heavy metals and marine life.
Eco-Tourism. With its forested and lushly vegetated mountains and pristine beaches, APECO offers a magnificent eco-tourism venue for everyone.
Health Facilities. As of June 30, 2023, Region III or the Central Luzon Region, where Aurora Province is located, has 176 operating hospitals. Out of the 176, 120 are privately owned and operated, while the Philippine Government operates the rest. In Aurora, the Philippine Government operates four (4) municipal hospitals in Baler, Casiguran, Maria Aurora, and Dingalan. Premiere General Hospital of Nueva Ecija, Baler, Aurora, Inc. is also located in Baler, Aurora.
Power and Energy. Consistent with the policy of the national government, APECO will promote the optimization of renewable energy. It can act as an alternative energy park or a hub for research and development of renewable energy technologies. Moreover, investors may want to explore the hydro, wind, and solar energy potential in Casiguran. The estimated aggregate wind power of Aurora is at 320 MW from 46 potential sites. It can also host a solar energy power plant at 61- hectare Dilasag Ridge or within APECO’s premises. It also has a potential of 81.6 MW of biomass energy.
At present, APECO relies on the National Power Corporation – Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) for their electricity. The energy demand of APECO is estimated at 15 MW per year. The electricity generation cost ranges from Php 6.11 to Php 6.95 kwh. Including transmission costs and other incidentals, it may reach up to P11 kwh.
Moving forward, the Aurora Electric Cooperative Inc. (AURELCO) plans to supply APECO and Casiguran. AURELCO supplies electricity to the northern portion of Aurora through a 69 KV sub-transmission line of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). NGCP plans to improve its resiliency and system reliability by constructing a high voltage 500/230 kv transmission line. This will facilitate the flow of at least 1,000 to 1,500MW in the area.
Water Supply. The ecozone’s estimated water demand is 24,665 cubic meters per day when all its areas are fully optimized based on population projection and industrial, commercial, and agriculture use. At present, APECO has five (5) free flowing standpipes from Barangay Esteves. Within its perimeter, it has an existing dam with an elevated water tank and a water distribution pipeline consisting of 200mm diameter primary lines and 150mm diameter secondary lines.
Human Resource. About 61% of the municipality’s population is economically active, whereas around 39% represents the dependent population.
Information and Communication Technology. APECO has achieved significant progress in cyber/internet connectivity by establishing Starlink in the ecozone, effective May 23, 2023. The Converge, PLDT, and SMART also provide internet services in the area.
Port Operations. The Philippine Ports Authority requires compulsory or mandatory pilotage for shipping vessels in private and public ports. There are pilotage associations in the Philippines, with nation-wide scope, that can provide this service. They are registered with the Maritime Industry Authority or MARINA. At present, we have at least 183 registered harbor pilots in the Philippines.
The Municipality of Casiguran has a “roll-on, roll-off” port, but not yet in operation until APECO assumes jurisdiction of this port. Meanwhile, the nearest shipbuilding and repair facilities are located in Metro Manila and Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
CURRENT LAND ZONE USE AND CLASSIFICATION
APECO’s geographical footprint is divided into Parcels 1 and 2. Parcel 1 has at least 496 hectares, while Parcel 2 has 12, 247 hectares.
Majority of the light industrial and commercial locators are in Parcel 1. APECO’s long-term plan is to focus primarily on agri-aqua industries because of its proximity to Benham Rise and access to the Pacific Ocean.
Parcel 2 is also equally promising as Parcel 1. With its white sand beaches, pristine rainforest, and interesting terrain, it is suited for tourism-related investments.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
The Philippines experience an average of at least 20 typhoons per year. At least 40% of these storms pass through Aurora. Among the top 10 worst typhoons from 2009 to 2023, Typhoon Lando (or Typhoon “Koppu”) hit the Province of Aurora with the most significant impact, destroying at least P5.9 billion-worth of produce in the agricultural sector. APECO suffered at least P61 million in damaged structures.
The Province of Aurora established a Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC). The PDRRMC has local teams in the various municipalities. Each municipality has a risk reduction and management plan. PDRRMC partners with the DND’s Office of Civil Defense in cases of disasters and emergencies.
Since 2021, there have been no reported incidents involving Communists Terrorist Groups (CTGs) within the area of APECO. The Province of Aurora is relatively clear of CTGs. Instead, there are reports of CTG sightings in the interior barangays along the boundary of Quezon Province. But they are of small force which may not pose a serious threat to businesses within the APECO.
In 2020, the Philippine Navy (PN) and APECO signed a MOA formalizing the construction of a naval and air support base in Casiguran. It is not intended to restrict shipping lanes. Instead, the presence of a naval support and air detachment will boost maritime security in the area. With a naval base in the area, it can help spur investments in areas of shipping and its allied services. The presence of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the area will provide additional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) capabilities to support APECO and the Province of Aurora in times of disasters.
The nearest hospital from APECO is the Casiguran District Hospital located just 13.2km away.
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