The Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) started its 30th anniversary celebration on February 24, 2025 through a motorcade, which route started from the CEZA Commercial Building to the Municipal Public Market en route to Casambalangan Port Irene Triangle then back to CEZA’s Corporate Center.

It was followed by a Eucharistic celebration, which was led by Reverent Father Feliciano C. Mendones Jr. OFM, Saint Anthony de Padua’s Parish Priest. In his homily, he shared the importance of healing as a process. He preached that as we are healed by the Lord, we are also being transformed as well-rounded individuals; we are being renewed from our physical up to our spiritual well-being. He also credited and congratulated CEZA in its role to nurturing and keeping the environment sustainable and healthy, as CEZA ’s theme “People and nature thriving as one” jives with their mission.

After the mass, CEZA’s opening program immediately preceded. The welcome remarks was delivered by Atty. Marichelle De Guzman, Deputy Administrator for Operations. She warmly welcomed everyone who has enjoined in CEZA’s 30th anniversary celebration while giving a positive vibe on CEZA’s accomplishments on the past 30 years and continuing to serve better the public and its stakeholders.

Following through, Sec. Katrina Ponce Enrile delivered her anniversary message where she highlighted CEZA’s intentions to grow its investments in profusion inside the Cagayan Freeport through the aid and trust of its reliable future investors. She further disclosed CEZA’s plan to help each and everyone in the community by providing essential employment opportunities once its future investments will flourish. Furthermore, the secretary also sought the public’s support and prayer for CEZA to accomplish its desired undertakings.

Shortly after the ACEO’s message, Honorable Mayor Nelson Robinion and Bryan Dale Chan of Santa Ana and Aparri, Cagayan, both serving as ex-officio Board of Directors of CEZA manifested their concerted message of support to the Secretary’s thrust towards CEZA’s success as it reaches its 30th anniversary.

Moreover, Regional Director Pinky T. Jimenez of the Department of Information and Technology also gave her strong support to CEZA’s cause. As part of her support, she also launched a free WIFI connection for internet connectivity in Santa Ana’s select schools and other emergency response public offices including CEZA to be used in case of disasters and calamities. Director Leon DG. Rafael Jr. of the Office of Civil Defense also reaffirmed his support to CEZA while assuring to provide a quick and responsive disaster resilient mechanism to the Cagayan Freeport.

The program culminated with Department Manager Atty. Victoria Perez-Morales’ closing remarks, thanking everyone for their continued support towards CEZA’s mission and vision to serve the public.

Present during the program were guest and visitors from regional government agencies, including the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Agriculture, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Department of National Defense (DND)- Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Department of environment and Natural Resources.

Also present were officers and staff from the LGU Santa Ana, LGU Aparri, Santa Ana Fishery National High School, Saint Anthony’s College, Cagayan State University, members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Philippine Navy 5th Infantry Division, Bureau of Fire Protection, Santa Ana Community Hospital, private practitioners, barangay officials, community residents, CEZA Board of Directors, officers and staff, guests and visitors.

Following the program was a brief but concise media interview of Sec. Enrile with RBC Cable TV, CEZA’s local media partner, through its manager, Mr. Rodel Ordillos. The Secretary reiterated her unwavering dedication to make CEZA a future of investment hubs while providing a larger scale of employment opportunities to its communities.

Immediately after lunchbreak, Sec. Enrile made a quick visit to the venues of the Jobs Fair and the Medical and Dental Mission activities which were held simultaneously at the LGU Santa Ana Agricultural Center, LGU Multi-Purpose Hall and LGU Municipal Gymnasium, where she gave her message of thanksgiving and assurance to applicants and beneficiaries of the said activities.

The Lingkod-CEZA program served a total of 802 recipients on optical, medical, pediatric, dental extraction and flouridization and haircut services which was made possible through CEZA’s partners from the Armed Forces of The Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Medical and Dental Unit 2, Dr. Alice Ortega-Pascua and Loreta G. Narag, DMD.

Meanwhile the CEZA’s Job Fair reached a total of four hundred fifty-seven (457) applicants, where fifty-five (55) lucky ones were hired on the spot (HOTS).

Finally, CEZA’s Skills Training capacitated a total of sixty (60) learners comprised of Alternative Learning System (ALS) students and maintenance personnel from CEZA’s registered locators.

CEZA’s premier day has sent a strong message to the public of the Authority’s untiring and relentless pursuit for growth and progress inside the Cagayan Freeport from the date of its existence up to its present 30th anniversary and counting, all in the spirit of bringing its mission and vision to make Northern Cagayan and the province an invaluable investment hub and a proponent of employment opportunities to its communities.

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