Project Title & Location
PORO POINT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AREA
San Fernando, La Union

Client
WALLACE CONVERSION ADVISORY GROUP AND THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF LA UNION
San Fernando, La Union

Project Completion
1993

Associated Firms
Manuel T. Mañosa, Jr.
Alcon Crowne Development Corporation

Services Provided
- Conceptual Planning
- Advisory Services

Poro Point, the site of the former US Wallace Air Station, was declared a Special Economic Zone in June 1993.

To help jump-start the plan of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority for the Wallace Air Station, the provincial government of La Union through the Wallace Conversion Advisory Group approached PROS for technical assistance. The development vision was to declare the area including contiguous properties into a special economic zone and free port. This concept includes an industrial estate that is seen as the springboard for the industrial development of the North Luzon Growth Quadrangle.

Two key elements to the PROS proposal were made; the first is to widen the neck of the point by reclaiming land sufficient enough for a major access system. The second proposal is to ultimately relocate the airstrip to the extreme side of the point.

The initial framework for development included:

a. A 200-hectare industrial and tourism site
b. A 250-hectare reclamation area fronting the seaport and to provide more accommodations for the airport. Ultimately a container and transshipment center to be located in the area.

The special economic zone is proposed to have non-polluting export-oriented and labor-intensive light industries. Tourism development includes a base for cruise ships, eco-tourism in the province, cultural tourism promotions for Baguio, Hundred Islands, Vigan and the Laoag tourism circuit. In all, some 800 hectares constitutes the Special Economic Zone.