Manila, March 28 -- The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said Friday that a new ecozone in Tarlac will host the country's first manufacturing facility certified by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Zen Industrial Pharma Ecozone (ZIPZ) broke ground last March 26 in Luisita in Tarlac, which will host a manufacturing plant of sterile injectables and biopharmaceuticals for regulated markets and the country's pioneer producer of active pharmaceutical ingredient.

PEZA said ZIPZ responds to the call of the Marcos administration to boost the local pharma industry, lower the costs of medicines and make it more accessible to Filipinos, as well as strengthening the country's role in the global supply chain.

PEZA Direc...