The Philippine Veterans Investment Development Corp. is powering regional progress through its 3,000-hectare industrial estate in Misamis Oriental, Mindanao.
Established in 1974 under Presidential Decree No. 538, Phividec was created to disperse industry to the countryside, foster socioeconomic development and support the employment of veterans and retirees of the Armed Forces of the Philippines through nation-building initiatives.
Today, the estate hosts a wide range of industries — from power, petroleum and logistics to steel processing, activated carbon production, food manufacturing and light industries. Japanese companies have played a vital role since its inception, beginning with the Philippine Sinter Corp. (a subsidiary of JFE Steel), and continuing with Nippon Sanso Ingasco Philippines Inc. and Jacobi Carbons Philippines Inc., the world’s largest producer of coconut shell-based activated carbon and a subsidiary of Osaka Gas Chemicals Co.
Administrator Joseph Donato J. Bernedo is leading Phividec’s next phase of development. While pursuing the long-term vision of an integrated steel mill — 300 hectares have been reserved — Bernedo is actively working to diversify the estate’s industrial base by targeting electronics, semiconductors, electric vehicle components, tourism and commercial ventures.
Strategically located along a protected deep-sea harbor, Phividec connects the cities of Surigao, Davao, Zamboanga and Bukidnon province through the Mindanao Container Terminal. With a 13-meter berth depth in an area unlikely to experience typhoons and an ongoing expansion to 600 meters, the port is positioned to become the southern gateway of Philippine trade.
Other major initiatives include a bulk water project, an 18-building housing complex and a 20-megawatt solar facility. Phividec also hosts two schools producing 2,000 graduates annually and a Technical Education and Skills Development Authority center that is being upgraded to a 200 million peso (¥51.2 million) facility offering courses in automation and robotics. The authority is also working toward ISO certification to align with global standards.
“We offer a unique combination of infrastructure, incentives and location,” Bernedo said. “This is the right time to invest in Phividec.”
