The One Bulacan Program for Rapid Industrialization (PRIDE) was launched last Friday at the Bulacan Capitol gymnasium, Malolos, Bulacan, aimed at transforming the province into a hub of industrialization and a model of inclusive growth.
Under the One Bulacan PRIDE, the city of Malolos will be developed into a nerve center for the development of local technologies that will enhance agricultural production, manufacturing and other industries, as well as for harnessing information and communication technology.
To this end, a technohub is proposed to be put up in the city with assistance from the Department of Science and Technology.
Other projects being eyed under the program are a jewelry-making complex , a modern food processing and packaging facility, and a mineral processing center.
As it is, Bulacan already has a thriving economy based on jewelry-making, agri-processing, garment manufacturing, pyro-technics production, and furniture-making, among others.
Leading the program launch were Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado and Bulacan Rep. Joselito Mendoza.
“We want to create new engines of economic growth, and Bulacan will be among the pilot provinces for this initiative,” Ochoa said. This calls for making Bulacan’s economy “vibrant and driven by enterprise and by a strong partnership among the national government, local government and the private sector.”
The goal of the provincial government, according to Governor Alvarado, is to be a new engine of economic growth, a goal that is warranted by Bulacan’s strategic location as Manila’s gateway to the rest of Luzon.
The expected industrialization that will take place in Bulacan is also seen to boost the economic growth of the other provinces in Central and Northern Luzon, Alvarado added.
Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad said in an interview with Business Mirror that Ayala Land, Robinsons, SM, Megaworld and several call centers, among others, have already started locating in the historical city.