MARIVELES, Bataan — The Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan on Tuesday said it is now accelerating efforts to normalize economic activity after temporary suspension of work and business operations in the Freeport Area of Bataan here last March.
AFAB administrator Engr. Emmanuel Pineda said they have to suspend operations of more than 100 enterprises due to the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine.
He disclosed that 81 multi-national firms have resumed operation although subject to regular inspection for adherence to the guidelines to ensure the health and safety of the 26,000 workers “who are fortunate enough to go to work every day.”
Before the coronavirus pandemic hit Bataan, there were more than 40,000 workers employed in more than 100 companies at the FAB.
Pineda said that despite the pandemic, seven new enterprises were added to the list that brought the total number of registered FAB registered enterprises to 150.
A report of the AFAB Enterprise Assistance Department showed there were 40,007 workers employed in the Mariveles freeport of which 71.6% were already regularized.
With efforts of speeding-up normalcy in economic activity in FAB, Pineda said they have not forgotten the woes of displaced and disadvantaged workers that have to be addressed.
AFAB has forged an agreement with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Department of Trade and Industry to conduct livelihood training programs for displaced workers geared towards helping them with alternative sources of income.
The AFAB Labor Center was tasked to complete a census of FAB workers for a demographic, social and economic characteristics database. The census aims to gather more comprehensive data on the whole population of the freeport.
“This will enable us to identify the possible assistance and skills development to be provided to our workers,” Pineda said.
Despite the low export activities brought about by the lockdown from April to May, Pineda said their export transactions are now back on track, with an average of 1,276 transactions from June to August this year.
With a variety of industries thriving in the FAB, its import and export activities are also testimonies to how active the business happens in Mariveles. “As of 31 August 2020, we have recorded a total export value of $358.4 million,” the administrator said.
He said that in terms of investments, the Bataan freeport recorded a total of P105.2 billion of actual investments from January 1 to September of this year.
