The Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) is inviting stakeholders in the healthcare industry to put up business inside the eco-industrial zone.
Although the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) primarily hosts manufacturing companies, AFAB Chairman Emmanuel Pineda has expressed confidence the growing healthcare industry may find niche in Mariveles.
Of the province’s 12 city/municipalities, Mariveles has the biggest population with 127,536.
However, the town lacks a government-run hospital and a premier healthcare facility.
In response, AFAB, in coordination with the provincial government of Bataan, is currently preparing for the operation of the first hospital in the Freeport.
“The hospital already has high-end medical equipment donated by the GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant Ltd. Co. and Philippine Minnesotan Medical Association. The first Mariveles Hospital will ensure that the medical needs and requirements of potential and existing investors in the FAB will be attended to,” AFAB said in a statement.
With this development, Pineda said FAB is one of the best zones in the country with promising future for the healthcare industry.
Inside the Freeport, there are 96 local and international enterprises employing a total of 32,293 workers, based on the November 2016 data from AFAB.
“Healthcare presents an opportunity for eco-zones like the FAB where the medical tourism angle can be built on,” he said.
And since FAB hosts mostly business process outsourcing and manufacturing companies, Pineda shared his belief on the growing medical tourism industry.
“Foreign firms can also manufacture healthcare equipment in the FAB,” he stressed.
The FAB is the emerging fashion manufacturing hub of the Philippines with companies producing high-end brands of garments, apparel, shoes and accessories, like bags, jewelries among others.