CEZA taps NOW Group to advance connectivity, ICT infra in Cagayan

fostering innovation, we are charting a course toward a digital future,” CEZA Administrator Secretary Katrina Ponce Enrile said, while citing its added force to their efforts to develop CEZA as a critical hub of economic activity and technological progress not just for Northern Luzon but nationwide as well.

energy platform for regional connectivity and decarbonization in SEA.

Manalo is in Vientiane for the second Laos-Philippines Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation. He met with his counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith.

Both sides discussed bilateral cooperation in areas ranging from politics to national defense, security, economics, trade and investment, energy, technology, telecommunications, public works and transport, social and cultural spheres, education, sports, tourism, labor, agriculture, and foreign affairs, Laos’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press statement.

“I also foresee that the forthcoming years will witness stronger bilateral cooperation in agriculture for inclusive growth and food security,” Manalo said in his speech.

Laos and the Philippines are negotiating for agreements in agri-fishery and forestry cooperation, which would involve colleges or universities.

Manalo also said both countries are now finalizing the agreement for cooperation on basic education.

Education is one of the most prominent sectors in the Philippines-Laos bilateral relationship.

In 2017, both countries signed an agreement on academic cooperation in higher education. Because of this, many Laotians have graduated in the Philippines in the fields of science and technology, education, agriculture and English.

By Roderick L. Abad Contributor

SUPPORTING President Ferdinand

R. Marcos Jr.’s goal of “The Digital Philippines,” Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) forged a landmark partnership on Thursday with the NOW Group in a pioneering project to modernize the telecommunications and digital infrastructure in the country.

Per their memorandum of agreement (MOA), NOW Corp. and NOW Telecom will work with CEZA in designing a world-class and communications critical infrastructure that will provide unified connectivity, software systems and services to the province of Cagayan, especially for its people and ecozone locators.

Once the technical studies are completed, it is hoped that the digital infrastructure system and design to be proposed and presented to CEZA will form the basis for the project to push through.

Such initiative aims to deploy fixed wired, fixed wireless, terrestrial, satellite, and other delivery systems to CEZA, thus, guaranteeing reliable and quality broadband and other information and communications technology (ICT) services to businesses.

CEZ A’s strategic positioning and critical infrastructure are pivotal to Cagayan’s economic development.

Its proximity to two US military bases in the country, which is integral to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the United States and the Philippines, amplifies its global security influence.

U nderscoring its commercial and strategic reach, on the other hand, is its nearness to Taiwan that positions Ceza as a potential extension for the tiny yet progressive nation’s industrial zones.

“CEZA welcomes this initiative and interest of NOW Corp. and NOW Telecom in pursuing this transformative project which underpins our commitment to national development. By attracting investments and