









































Pa
ge

 
1



Pa
ge

 
1

American Journal of   
Environment and Climate (AJEC)

Agritechnovation Hub and Smart Knowledge Processing Outsourcing (Kpo) Ecozone 
Masterplan Design Potentiality at Isabela State University Matusalem, Roxas, Isabela

Bagnos A. Quebral Jr.1*

Volume 4 Issue 3, Year 2025
ISSN: 2832-403X (Online) 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54536/ajec.v4i3.5324
https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajec

Article Information ABSTRACT

Received: May 15, 2025
Accepted: June 18, 2025

Published: August 23, 2025

This study seeks the potentiality of  an Agritechnovation Hub and Smart Knowledge, 
Processing and Outsourcing (KPO) Center as a Knowledge, Innovation, Science and 
Technology (KIST) ecozone development through combining technology and agriculture 
as an innovation. As universities are dispersed around the Special Economic Zone, students’ 
knowledge levels will rise and job chances will increase. Rapid urbanization among major 
cities in the Philippines created so much congestion and exceeded it carrying capacity to 
provide proper housing and social services to its residents. The cost of  living in cities is 
highly expensive and most of  the graduates from the countryside add up to its overcrowding 
due to lack of  opportunity. The Special Economic Zone’s goal to move developments in 
the provinces is of  good help to decongest Urbanized cities and give more opportunities 
to graduates in the provinces. Roxas Isabela has idle lands and the need to develop a Land 
Use Development Plan is needed that is why the Agritechnovation Hub and KPO center as 
a KIST Park is proposed to utilize this idle land in compliance with the LUDIP Act.  This 
study, clearly shows that KPO centers are needed gaining 32.2% agreeing to have a KIST 
development in the area Moreover it revealed that (15.25%) of  the respondents wanted to 
have agriculture as its major component Lastly, Education comes with 13.56% out which 
means that these three components are the strength of  campus for a synergistic activity 
between the industry partners through research and development. It is also concluded that 
Agriculture through technology in research and development can create a wide array of  
opportunities for local and international economic growth and capacity building among the 
people. 

Keywords
Agriculture, Economics, 
Development, Idle Lands, Zone

1 Isabela State University, Ilagan, Isabela, Philippines 
* Corresponding author’s e-mail: bagnosarki214@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION
The municipality of  Roxas is a first-class municipality, 
and it is good to locate the development since the 
infrastructure and utilities are already available, which is 
one of  the major requirements of  PEZA. Through the 
development of  an Agritechnovation Hub and KPO 
Center. 
The development was composed of  a one-stop shop, 
a Research and Development Building, a Knowledge 
Processing Building, Guestel, a hotel, a Conference 
Building, and Administration Building including a motor 
pool, and a Fabtech Area. Through this, the operations 
of  the Agritechnovation Hub and KPO center as a KIST 
Development will surely meet its needed facilities to be 
provided for international and local economic and techno-
scientific activities. Farm and resort will be additional 
amenities in the area to immerse and have a proper venue 
for research and leisure activities. With these, it will surely 
embrace by young generations to bring back the love for 
agriculture and value its importance to the community. 
The green architecture was adopted in the development 
since it has been one of  the best strategies to adapt to 
prevent climate change impact and to at least achieve 
sustainability. Water and utility systems are provided with 
solar and energy-saving equipment with low VOC paints 
used and double-glazed glass windows to have better 
resistance to hot climates.  With these developments, the 

ISU Roxas Campus graduates and students including its 
residents would have a better opportunity for employment 
and immersion. 

Statement Of  The Problem
Younger generations usually do not love agriculture; 
however, it is necessary to look into this problem to 
create an Agritechnovation Hub and KPO Center 
as Knowledge, Innovation, Science, and Technology 
(KIST) Special Economic zone development which 
combines agriculture and technology as an innovation. 
The backbone of  the economy in the Province of  
Isabela is agriculture and the need to innovate in terms 
of  development is very relevant to bring back and sustain 
the agriculture sector in the province.  
The need to develop idle lands shall be done by SUCs 
so that it will not be recovered by the Philippine 
Government to be utilized. The compliance of  the ISU 
Roxas Matusalem to the LUDIP Act will be one of  its 
topmost priorities to maximize the best use of  their idle 
lands. There is a move from the Philippine Economic 
Zone Authority to create countryside development and 
one of  its components is a KIST Special Economic 
Zone which is very much suitable to ISU Roxas’s current 
development plans. The graduates of  ISU Roxas usually 
go out of  town and abroad to have better employment 
opportunities and this development will ease the problem 



Pa
ge

 
2

https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajec

Am. J. Environ. Clim. 4(3) 1-10, 2025

among its graduates and residents. 

Objectives of  The Study
This study will deal with the research on the creation of  
the 15- year master plan that could be used by the ISU 
Roxas Campus for PEZA submission and approval. The 
objectives of  this study also include the following:
1. Identify the policies and standards needed for Special 

Economic Zone development.
2. To assess possible strategies in the design and 

construction of  the master plan.
3. To design a master plan suitable for the 

Agritechnovation Hub and KPO Center as an economic 
zone with a KIST component. 

Significance of  The Study
The results of  this study will give concepts on how to 
make sustainable developments on the Agritechnovation 
hub and KPO centre as a KIST component on SEZ 
zone developments among the developers and SUCs. 
This study will help researchers on what are the possible 
components and considerations to achieve proper 
facilities and design factors that will make the development 
successful.  This model will be useful in the application of  
ISU Roxas Campus in the PEZA for further approval of  
the requirement.

Limitations of  The Study
The limitations of  this study will merely on the bounds of  

ISU proposed development and on the following criteria: 
1. A detailed estimated cost of  development and 

computations of  Return of  investments are not part of  
the study. 
2. The campus’s infrastructure department will complete 

the comprehensive engineering design and estimates, 
and these will not be included in the research. Only the 
conceptual master development plan is the subject of  this 
investigation. 
3. An analysis of  the environmental impact of  ECC is 

for further study however site SWOT analysis is part of  
the process.
4. Applications for land use changes and disputes about 

land titles are not included in the study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
There are two types of  methods used in this study both 
qualitative and quantitative research to achieve its vital 
results. A comprehensive and research on essential factors 
that may affect the development was thoroughly studied 
for the benefit of  ISU Management for implementation 
and SEZA for submission.

Location of  the KIST Developments
The location of  the study site is in Barangay Matusalem 
Roxas Isabela Province with a relatively flat terrain that is 
appropriate for the development (Figure 1).

Data Collection and Instruments Used 
There are second hand data’s given by ISU Management 
and PEZA authorities that has been useful in the conduct 
of  this research.  Drones, cameras and online researches 
are the instruments used by the researchers to come up 
with the results of  the study and carefully analysed and 
synthesized.  Survey questionnaires with proper consents 
among the authorities were provided to make it more 
comprehensive and got the best results in achieving the 
objectives of  the study. 

Figure 1: The Site (Barangay Matusalem, Roxas, Isabela)

Descriptive Method
The descriptive technique is used with the evidences 
gathered by different persons and agencies; this 
provided a proper narration on the factors that make the 
development achievable and sustainable. The services 
offered in the development was aligned with the planning 
department of  ISU Roxas and with the stakeholder 
consultation and recommendations.
 It was also completed to identify the design elements and 
frameworks in each of  the SEZ’s operational sectors as 



Pa
ge

 
3

https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajec

Am. J. Environ. Clim. 4(3) 1-10, 2025

well as to characterize the metrics that best support the 
SEZ’s existence in the local community. The economic 
zone’s geographical and geopolitical characteristics have 
been carefully assessed and combined with the intended 
attributes.

Unstructured Personal Interview
The researcher also interviewed key experts in ecozone 
developments in Baguio PEZA office and it was found 
out that the ecozone permits and standards have its own 
by laws for the ISU Roxas to accomplish.  The project 
manager of  a single KIST zone in Batangas was also 
interviewed to have an overview on how the project was 
successfully done from design to construction.
     
Case Study
A benchmarking was done with the ISU team on Batangas 
and carefully conducted a visit on the construction of  
the ecozone and its vital components. It seeks how they 
catered both local and international economies with 
research activities. Equipment’s and offices were visited 
and they have shown mapping and cutting machines that 
is merely part of  their innovation on the development. 

ISU Roxas Stakeholder Meeting
To have a consensus design of  the master plan a 
stakeholder meeting was conducted with the LGU 

Table 1: Respondents Distribution 
Area of  Survey  Respondents Respondents Number Total
Municipality of  
Roxas Isabela 

Students from Isabela State University Roxas and 
Heads 

30 30

Local residents and Municipality of  Roxas Officials 30 30
Overall Total 60 

officials, ISU Officials, students and local residents.  The 
conference venue was in ISU Roxas and it lasted for 
half  day. The researcher collected all the concerns and 
desires of  the stakeholders and adapted mostly of  their 
suggestions and gave solutions to their concerns. 

Analysis Using SWOT Analysis 
Site analysis through actual observation on the site clearly 
gave an idea to the author to come up with a better 
master plan design. The geographical and environmental 
characteristics of  the place was analysed and vital in the 
crafting of  the development plans. These are essential 
for the determination of  its impact among sectors of  the 
society. Through this, the ecozone were oriented properly 
and treated architectural and building utility features to 
make it more comfortable. 

Survey Method 
For the Roxas special economic zone, a purposive sample 
survey approach was used. The purpose of  the survey was 
to find out what conditions, in the respondents’ opinion, 
are necessary and preferred for the construction of  an 
economic zone. Purposive sampling was used and it is 
composed of  60 different respondents by various sectors 
like ISU Officials and students, local residents and LGU 
Roxas Officials. 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Policies and Standards in KIST Ecozone 
Development 
The legislative framework and administrative protocols 
for the development, governance and functioning of  
various ecozones in the Philippines are established under 
RA No. 7916. This Act creates the PEZA under the first 
portion of  this article. Incentives for sectors seeking to 
invest, assistance for private enterprises, and recognition 
of  the private sector’s unwavering role would all be 
offered, according to Section 2 of  the policy declaration. 
In addition to encouraging and favoring the use of  
domestically produced goods, domestic materials, and 
Filipino labor, section 2 offers strategies to assist them 
become more competitive. 
In order to generate jobs, particularly in rural 
communities, cities, and the provinces, this strategy 
pushes the administration to promote, fast-track, and 
incur feasible and composed financial, social, and 
industrial growth especially to countryside. By creating 
economic zones at strategically important places across 
the nation and attracting lawful foreign investment, its 

main goals are to empower the people and improve their 
level of  living. The Philippine president will determine 
what is required to create an ecozone after consulting 
with PEZA and evaluating the results of  an extensive 
engineering and feasibility assessment that satisfies the 
following requirements:
(a) The lands of  the locations of  economic zone shall be 

in a growth center in the region. Hence, the municipality 
of  Roxas in the province of  Isabela is a focal point for 
development and progress. 
(b) The infrastructure required for the ECOZONE 

zones, including telephones, roads, railroads, airports, 
ports, and the capacity to support various improvements, 
must already be in place. Cauayan Airport is 50 
minutes distant, and ISU Roxas offers reliable utilities. 
Nevertheless, the railway’s location is unknown.
c) In order to be used, ECOZONE needs to have access 

to a supply of  water and energy; Luckily, the ecozone 
proposed in Roxas has connection in Roxas Water line. 
(d) Land for residential areas, commercial, industrial, and 

future expansion must be accessible to user’s workforce. 
For the comfort of  its staff, the KIST facility is furnished 



Pa
ge

 
4

https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajec

Am. J. Environ. Clim. 4(3) 1-10, 2025

with a number of  guestel amenities.
(e) The availability of  trained, semi-skilled, and trainable 

non-skilled laborers must be considered while creating 
an ecozone. Preferred employment in the SEZ may be 
granted to students and recent graduates of  ISU and its 
neighboring schools. 
(f) The development will benefit both local and foreign 

investors in the future; the areas must be substantially 
more favorable than the existing economic zones and 
have the potential to be profitable in the future.
(g) Preferably positioned properly. Matusalem Roxas 

Campus is accessible by a road connected to different 
locations of  the campuses.
(h) To deter smuggling attempts, the ECOZONE 

should be located in an area where security measures 
are easily visible. DENR and police agencies try to avoid 
smuggling along the area.

Experts in The Special Economic Zone Interviewed 
The author decided to consult with an expert in ecozone 
development. The OIC Chief  told the researcher in 
an interview that the PEZA Board Officials will carry 
out a thorough a series of  examination of  the KIST 
Special Economic Zone establishment’s Economic 
Zone Development. Only one KIST economic zone—
Batangas State University KIST—has been approved by 
PEZA, while two other schools are in the application 
stage. In order for both the industry and KIST to gain 
from research and development, especially in the fields 
of  innovation and research and development, the special 
economic zone should aim to work in tandem with the 
industry. 
Furthermore, research projects that are models or 
prototypes may be manufactured in the KIST special 
economic zone and then mass-produced for use in 
industry. The KIST is only good to manufacture prototype 
researched models from the industries because the ISU’s 
land use is still institutional. However, the municipal 
or city council’s approval is still required to change the 
property use. 

Strategies in Designing The Ecozone Masterplan
Isabela State University’s KIST economic zones were 
established in accordance with the planning department. 
The author carried out its survey and integrated all 
pertinent KIST recommendations in ISU Roxas to meet 
the needs and desires of  the ECOZONE’s potential 
consumers. Before incorporating it into the ECOZONES 
master development plan, the author visited the Roxas 
Campus, which has a substantial land holding, and 
consolidated information’s aligned to their vision on the 
development. 
A SWOT analysis of  each development area revealed that 
most of  the infrastructures required for development, 
including transportation access, power supplies, road 
networks, telecommunications, water supplies, and 
adjacent airports, were present. This was the PEZA’s 
primary requirement. The PEZA’s main objective is to 

promote economic mobility among impoverished areas, 
which will support each community’s development. The 
location is perfectly situated to serve as the hub for further 
growth. The site’s qualities are excellent for development 
since Roxas Campus has a large carrying capacity for 
KIST ecozone development and broad regions open for 
growth. According to the majority of  study participants 
on the Roxas campus, KIST park ought to be built on 
the ISU campus. Despite having modest earnings, the 
majority of  respondents are college graduates who might 
be a possible workforce of  the development since this was 
PEZA’s primary requirement. The PEZA’s main objective 
is to promote economic mobility among impoverished 
areas, which will support each community’s development. 
The location is perfectly situated to serve as the hub for 
further growth. 

Potentials for Infrastructure Development
Infrastructure development will be mostly done with 
mid-rise structure since the respondents generally looked 
for mid-rise structure in the survey questionnaires that 
had been floated. Technologies like the use of  green 
building concepts were adapted in then master plan 
to lessen the impact of  climate change.PWD parking 
and provisions was carefully designed to make it more 
inclusive. Walkable and bikeable access are part of  the 
design of  the masterplan. Retention ponds will mitigate 
the flooding in the area and served as a source of  water 
when watering the landscape.

The Profile of  Kist Site Roxas Campus 
Profile on Natural Characteristics: ISU Roxas is mostly 
flat terrain and it is bounded by the fisheries research 
center of  the province which can be used in the farm 
tourism resort. The site is agricultural land and ready for 
development. It has two significant lots for development 
which is why a footbridge has been provided to ensure 
the safety of  going back and forth from one site to 
another among the users. It has a great mountain view of  
the Sierra Madre and a good drainage system. However, 
the need to divert canals from NIA shall be established.  
It is the least land area among the three sites. The other 
lot where the farm tourism is located has a small creek 
which can be a source of  water for watering the organic 
farm along the area.  Flood rip rapping is designed on 
its side to prevent scouring of  the soil during rainy days.  
Along the creek, there is a slope that is proposed to put 
kangkong, gabi, and other plants that need water and are 
susceptible to water. The site is near the Summabot view 
deck and it could be a means of  leisure activity among the 
economic zone users after work (Figure 1).

Profile on Education
Many Roxas residents are from mountain provinces. They 
have a high level of  education and could be employed 
in the special economic zone. Criminology is the main 
subject offered by ISU Roxas, which also provides courses 
in agriculture, IT, and fisheries. Because there are fewer 



Pa
ge

 
5

https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajec

Am. J. Environ. Clim. 4(3) 1-10, 2025

Figure 2: ISU Roxas Site
Source: ISU Roxas Planning Department

chances, Roxas residents will spend less money on jobs in 
distant places like Metro Manila, the City of  Ilagan, and 
Cauayan City.  

Profile on Social Factors 
As a sign of  their culture, the Kalinga people, who 
made up the majority of  the early settlers, were farmers 
and celebrated the Pinakbet Festival. As part of  their 
cultural history, they celebrate the Pinakbet festival, 
which highlights their primary agricultural output, which 
is primarily vegetables. Particularly among tourists, 
especially those from other countries, the residents of  
Roxas Isabela are incredibly welcoming and you can 
sense their sincere concern. In contrast to other nations, 
where bread and potatoes are the primary sources of  
carbs, they rely on rice as part of  their daily diet. The lack 
of  hotel facilities in the area makes it necessary to build 
hotel facilities inside the special economic zone to give 
both domestic and foreign tourists a suitable place to stay. 
Their culture includes mommas, and as a result, you may 
notice people with red teeth. They eat momma as a way 
to unwind and enjoy social interactions. 
 
Site SWOT Analysis Results 
Strengths – The land is practically empty and suitable 
for constructing building since there are no numerous 
existing structures to consider
1. Along the site, there is an existing research facility of  

fisheries research
2. The condition of  the land is relatively flat
3. Connection on electricity, water, drainage is evident 
4. Accessible to the other satellite campus of  ISU
5. View of  Sierra Madre is very nice

6. Flooding does not occur in the area 
7. Strong political will among the LGU and support

Weaknesses- Far from national highway
1. Narrow roads 
2. Flooding from creeks can cause overflow

 
Opportunities
1. Small scale and medium industries have the 

opportunity to use the facility 
2. The development can be a source of  OJT among the 

students especially in the hotel and offices
3. Financial funds through PPP and BOT can be a 

source of  funding
4. Linkages to DTI, TESDA and PEZA is Possible
5. Prototypes made by research can be done in the KIST 

development 
6. Can attract foreign linkages and investment 

 
Threat – Earthquakes are common and typhoons on 
the site
1. Concreting may lead to heat island effect
2. Congestion on traffic is possible
3. Environmental degradation is a possibility 
4. Students might get drowned in the creek

 
Results Of  Stakeholder Meeting
On December 6, 2022, a stakeholder meeting was held 
at the mini theatre on the second floor of  the Roxas 
Matusalem Campus. The Executive Officer of  ISU 
Roxas, along with LGU officials, the PEZA Director of  
the university, important officials, students, and citizens, 
attended the stakeholder meeting.  In his opening 



Pa
ge

 
6

https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajec

Am. J. Environ. Clim. 4(3) 1-10, 2025

remarks, Dr. Eddie Peru introduced the author and 
expressed gratitude for helping to create the master plan 
for the KIST economic zone. He also reaffirmed that 
the university’s goal of  becoming a preeminent research 
institution is almost a reality. The executive officer wanted 
to have footbridges and a covered walkway connecting 
the site of  the farm resort KPO and other buildings 
for the convenience of  the users.  The Dormtel will be 
named Guestel since this is the programmed name of  the 
building in the master plan. 
To reach a consensus, confer with all parties involved, and 
educate them on the critical role that SEZs play at Isabela 
State University, the designer presented the master plan.  
The author carefully clarified that the one-stop-shop area 
of  development is only meant for the residents of  the 
Roxas Matusalem area and would serve as a source of  
revenue for the Roxas Campus when one of  the LGU 
officials inquired about it after the presentation and 
whether the residents would be permitted to rent and use 
the facilities. To maximize the advantages of  establishing 
an economic zone, the ISU system will benefit from 
development policies.  Additionally, the researcher stated 
that all development plans will adhere to the Philippine 
national building code regarding the required parking area 
ratio and subsequently be added with 5% contingencies 
for future population growth. The dean of  the College of  
Criminology is also worried about the number of  parking 
areas, seeing that it may not be sufficient to meet the need 
for parking. To guarantee the safety of  the users within 
the special economic zone, the dean also reaffirmed the 
necessity of  adequate fencing. 
The site’s current water irrigation system in the event of  
flooding is another urgent worry of  the stakeholders. 
To reduce and manage floods in the area, the researcher 
clarified that engineering design solutions are integrated 
and that excavation and water-impounding areas are part 
of  the design. Additionally, each building has multiple 
rainwater harvesting systems built to flush toilets and 
prevent flooding according to the master design. In order 
to lessen the negative effects of  climate change, green 
architecture technologies such as the use of  Low-E 
glass, renewable energy sources like solar panels, vertical 
gardens, and roof  gardens, sunscreen louvers, clerestory 
windows, LED lights, and eco-friendly air conditioning 
are incorporated into the design. In addition to a 
vermiculture area that will contribute to revenue creation 
and supply organic fertilizer for the agricultural area, the 
MRF will also minimize landfill over crowding 

Structures Preference Result
Despite their strong agreement with the modern building 
design and built-in surroundings, most respondents 
were unclear about the existence of  high-rise structures. 
As a result, most structures shall be medium-rise as 
agreed by the respondents. The urban park is the KIST 
ecozone’s primary tactic for establishing a safer walk and 
atmosphere to its users, which will enhance the working 
environment and promote good design. Furthermore, 

parks, especially in the nights, can be utilized to encourage 
social interaction. In addition to serving as a natural 
cooling element, parks are designed to draw biodiversity 
to the area and mitigate the effects of  urban island heat. 

Preference On Ecological Protection
Solar panels installed on the rooftops of  various buildings 
demonstrate the appropriateness of  renewable energy 
use by optimizing solar energy; cross ventilation allowed 
for the integration of  green construction concepts, 
proper orientation, and environmentally friendly 
material selection in some areas of  the master plan; the 
development  plan have enough  area, and will include a 
flood mitigating areas and  provisions for flood tunneling 
mechanisms; the master plan incorporates technologies 
like automated fire sprinklers and heat detectors to protect 
people and property exclusive along the  ecozone; and 
STP and MRF will protect the environmental degradation 
of  the place

Economic Oportunities
Developing a knowledge economy and worldwide 
connections through research and development are 
two of  the KIST economic zone’s policies. Research 
and Developments in this area will become a source of  
economic opportunities and create an innovation in terms 
of  students and industrial partners immersive activities. 
The FABTECH area, 3d printers, Lazer cutters and 
other technological advancement will be part of  the 
economic profit generations on the development. The 
use of  artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture has made 
noteworthy development in farm management probable 
by offering new ways to enhance farming procedures 
this may also be a possible area of  activities inside the 
ecozone. 
Although accommodations for local business sector shall 
have the opportunity in the development, foreign direct 
investments had been the majority of  the favored locators. 
Small-scale restaurants and retailers are a feature of  the 
growth in densely populated places, providing food and 
other goods and services that the community can use to 
foster economic stability through entrepreneurship. 

Business Environment
In exchange for tax holidays, the majority of  respondents 
supported a SEZA program that would give new 
business owners tax incentives for four to six years. The 
policy that will be proposed in the ECOZONE would 
offer tax advantages to locators and renters that adopt 
green technologies. It is possible to make foreign direct 
investments within the KIST economic zone as long as 
the items are service-oriented and made with exporting 
in mind. The establishment of  an ecozone is justified as 
the KIST locations’ population agreed to work inside the 
specified Special Economic Zone. The KIST ecozone 
welcomes international workers, notwithstanding certain 
limitations imposed by PEZA laws.



Pa
ge

 
7

https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajec

Am. J. Environ. Clim. 4(3) 1-10, 2025

External Communication
Connectivity in reliable and faster internet access will be 
part of  the masterplan. The A website shall be developed 
by the ISU ICT Department to accommodate foreign and 
local communication activities. The rule and technique 
for disseminating information includes the marketing 
of  ads in newspapers and other publications. Facebook 
ads and TV networks in the master plan are part of  the 
proposed strategy for marketing.

Policy Provision
Penalties for violators will be a part of  the master plan 
policy, which will ensure environmental sustainability 
and livability. Tax breaks for companies that practice 
environmental responsibility will function as a policy that 
the LGU will enact and approve. Companies that gather 
rubbish to apply the 4Rs are also eligible for tax breaks. 
The community inside the economic zone will become 
healthier and more environmentally friendly as a result. 
Allotting funds for sustainable research and development 
is essential to maintaining the viability of  the ecozone and 
filling up any gaps that arise while it is operating. The 
respondents agreed that the LGU may be a source of  
funding if  additional alternative BOT between investors 
was required for the availability of  cash. 

Green Architecture Integration
Rainwater harvesting, for example, is a green design 
technology that all buildings must have placed in the lower 
basement and repurposed for toilet flushing. Additionally, 
this will aid in lowering water usage, particularly during 
the wet season. Since the Philippines is a tropical nation, 
exploiting heat energy is one of  the ideal ways to gain 
cleaner source of  power in the master-planned ecozone. 
Photo-voltaic cells on roof  decks and roofings provisions 
are part vital components to ensure a much lower 
impact on the environment, most likely during summer. 
Tempered glass and Low-E glass on the glass walls will 
limit heat gain inside the structure, which lowers the need 
for air conditioning during hot
The design incorporates cross ventilation and the use 
of  natural daylighting to maximize wind-regulate solar 
exposure and ensure proper thermal comfort within the 
structure. A green wall was also incorporated into the 
design to improve biodiversity in the area and reduce the 
building’s effect on the urban island heat island effect. 
A holding pond was built to reduce flooding within 
the KIST special economic zones, which were master-
planned. The master plan called for e-trikes, bike lanes, 
and bike parking in order to lessen the development’s 
carbon footprint. Furthermore, a thoughtful walkable 
urban design can improve the entire experience of  the 
master-planned KIST development and lessen user stress.
To improve the porosity of  each parking lot and enable 
rainfall to percolate through, grass must be planted in the 
center. To ensure efficient data management and energy 
usage oversight throughout the development project, as 
well as safety in the event of  a fire or other emergency, 

it is recommended that artificial intelligent equipped 
sprinkler systems, maintenance protocols, and digital 
electric, mechanical and plumbing monitoring systems be 
integrated in every building. At the building’s entry and 
departure, each employee has heat-detecting monitoring 
equipment in case the spread of  Airborne diseases and 
other viruses is easily observed. There is a quarantine 
chamber in each building that is designed to be less 
accessible to the general public. 
The park will serve as the lung of  the entire KIST 
development and a public area for evacuation in the event 
of  an earthquake. Low volatile organic compound (VOC) 
paint, which is inherently a more environmentally friendly 
and sustainable option than regular paints, must be used 
for all paintings. Institutional buildings, like commercial 
buildings, usually have all-white paint because white is an 
easy colour to paint. Hazard vaults and sewage treatment 
facilities will ensure a high standard of  environmental 
quality in KIST Park, which is a critical requirement 
for obtaining the ECC, or Environmental Compliance 
Certificate, from the DENR. MRF and vermiculture will 
further improve the area’s waste management facilities.

Strategies In Construction Management        
In keeping with Batangas State University, ISU’s 
management will assemble a construction project 
management team to ensure that the facilities meet high 
standards at every stage of  the process, from design 
and bidding to construction and operation. In order to 
properly design the structures of  all buildings to value 
engineering, a soil test must be performed at every 
construction site.
To prevent soil from arriving from other sources, the 
author recommends using an excavated foundation to 
backfill all areas that need it in terms of  construction 
management. Due to the utilization of  I-beams with wide 
flanges and a metal deck on its structural system, it would 
be finished faster than with traditional construction.
Precast concrete, prefabricated SRC, pre-engineered 
steel structures, prefabricated SRC wall panels, and 
earthquake-resistant EPS panel technologies are the 
preferred wall-building methods for faster, more 
efficient, and well-insulated panels suitable for tropical 
countries. This will lower the amount of  heat gain within 
the building and is easier to install. To improve power loss 
efficiency, automatic transfer switches must be installed 
in all electrical systems. Emergency lighting and alerting 
systems must be incorporated into development designs 
in order to safeguard people’s lives, health, and

The Masterplan Composition
The business will process and trade exportable knowledge, 
innovation, and technological goods and services. The 
SEZ Development Project will be called “ISABELA 
AGRITECHNOVATION HUB and SMART KPO 
CENTER” (Figure 3). The building’s infrastructure 
is SMART KPO Techno Hub, which is outfitted with 
SMART Solar Generating Power.



Pa
ge

 
8

https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajec

Am. J. Environ. Clim. 4(3) 1-10, 2025

In order to serve both domestic and foreign locators, 
the master plan calls for an Administration Building 
and Business Establishment (Campus IGPs, showroom, 
One Stop Shop), a Research and Development Building, 
Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) and Support 
Services, a Convention Center, and a Guestel. A hotel, an 
agricultural resort, an ISU Village & Park, and an organic 
urban gardening landscape are all component of  the 
master plan. In the KIST Economic Zone, which serves 
both local and foreign economies, a showroom and one-
stop shop allocation are efficient ways to make money 
and display a range of  goods and services to workers, 
residents, and students. Since this development will draw 
researchers, tourists, other scientists, and locators who 
wish to employ the resources for research and innovation, 

local governments will profit from the revenues generated 
by it. To further preserve the surrounding area as a 
real laboratory for organic urban gardening and future 
expansion in the event that the KIST is successful, all 
modifications in lot 3698-B were compacted.  Low-E 
glass and rainwater catchment areas, solar panels, proper 
orientation using a tropical architecture with louvers and 
large overhangs, a water system driven by wind-generated 
pumps, and the effective use of  technologies like artificial 
intelligence heating devices are just a few examples of  
the green technology architecture design interventions 
incorporated into the KIST Development. In addition 
to a park to restore users’ well-being after a demanding 
workday, fire prevention measures are offered to protect 
the lives, health, and property of  the offices.

Figure 3: Master Plan of  Isu Roxas Kist Park Special Economic Zone

Figure 4: Aerial Perspective View



Pa
ge

 
9

https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajec

Am. J. Environ. Clim. 4(3) 1-10, 2025

Summary
To improve the education of  Isabela State University 
students and turn rural communities into ones that can 
sustainably and independently absorb economic activity, 
the KIST Special Economic Zone was established on 
the campus. Because the KIST Roxas have good human 
resource generation, neighboring sites and land uses are 
primarily dependent on agriculture and livestock, and they 
already have a proper utility infrastructure in place—the 
most important prerequisite for a PEZA—their social, 
cultural, natural, and educational characteristics have a 
great deal of  potential to develop into an economic zone. 
Enhancing community sustainability and quality of  life 
will be greatly impacted by the ecozone development 
which offers different employment options. 
Creating locators as a policy within the development 
framework permitted by its approved plan is one of  
the author’s recommendations, taking into account the 
necessity of  respecting it carrying capacity to avoid 
environmental harm and urban sprawl. This strategy will 
guarantee that Isabela State University will gain a great 
deal from their presence. Locators who organize green 
technology and embrace industrial symbiosis concepts 
will be eligible for tax breaks. Last but not least, the KIST 
ecozone is proof  of  the institution’s goal and aspiration 
to become a preeminent research university since it has 
the plan mandated by the LUDIP legislation to improve 
the optimal use of  land among the many uses of  land.

CONCLUSION
The study’s conclusions indicate that ecozone is 
popular with the locals and will create employment 
options because of  the locators’ and ISU management’s 
collaborative efforts to meet the majority of  sustainable 
development goals, raising the standard of  living in the 
Province of  Isabela. Efforts by the university president 
and other officials to construct the KIST economic 
zone have the potential to be successful. To help with 
the ecozone’s design, they intend to assemble a group 
of  specialists and submit their plan for approval to the 
PEZA and ISU Board. This will enhance and provide 
more meaning to the university’s objective of  being the 
leading research institution in the ASEAN area.

Recommendations
In order to improve SEZs at the KIST development at 
ISU Roxas, the author has recommended the following:
1. When hiring future employees in the ecozone, the ISU 

administration will establish a policy that gives preference 
to housing ISU graduates and residents.
2. The study strongly suggests that in order to create 

a sustainable development, locators who use green 
technologies should receive tax and rental advantages.
4. It is strongly advised to employ contemporary 

building techniques and select building materials suitable 
for a tropical nation.

REFERENCES
Aggarwal, A. (2022). Special Economic Zones in Indonesia–

Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle: Opportunities for 
Collaboration.  Asian Development Bank. http://hdl.
handle.net/11540/14838. 

Chakraborty, T. (2022). Locational Strategy of  Special 
Economic Zones in India. Studies in Microeconomics. 
https://doi.org/10.1177/23210222221111651 

Chen, L., Mee, K. N., Yuanzhou, T., & Tung, F. (2021) 
From a ‘World Factory’ to China’s Bay Area: A 
Review of  the Outline of  the Development Plan 
for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay 
Area. Planning Theory & Practice, 1-5. S https://doi.org
/10.1080/14649357.2011.626316

Dongdong, W., Yuhong, W., & Wuyong, Q. (2020). 
Efficiency evaluation and dynamic evolution of  
China’s regional green economy: A method based 
on the Super-PEBM model and DEA window 
analysis, Journal of  Cleaner Production. https://doi.
org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121630.   

Gorg, H., & Mulyukova, A. (2022). Place-Based Policies and 
Agglomeration Economies: Firm-Level Evidence from Special 
Economic Zones in India. IZA Discussion Paper No. 
15123. https://ssrn.com/abstract=4114682 

Hamid, N. J. (2021). Malaysian special economic zone: 
Analysing the land use planning through the development plan. 
UUM IRepository. https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/
eprint/28414

Liashenko, V., Pidorycheva, I., Mytsenko, I., & 
Chebotarova, N. (2021). The modern concept of  
special economic zones in Ukraine. Bulletin of  
Geography. Socio-economic Series, 52, 85-94. https://doi.
org/10.2478/bog-2021-0015 

Lorenzo, C., & Liliane, M. (2021). Labour Rights in 
Special Economic Zones: Between Unilateralism 
and Transnational Law Diffusion. Journal of  
International Economic Law, 24(2), 341–360. https://
doi.org/10.1093/jiel/jgab012    

Muhammad, B., Muhammad, K. A., Usama, Q., Salman, 
H., Mirza, J., & Ahmad, W. (2022). A multifaceted 
evaluation of  hybrid energy policies: The case of  
sustainable alternatives in special Economic Zones 
of  the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). 
Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 52(PartA). 
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2022.101958.  

Padhiary, M., Kumar, K., Hussain, N., Roy, D., Barbhuiya, 
J. A., & Roy, P. (2025). Artificial Intelligence in Farm 
Management: Integrating Smart Systems for Optimal 
Agricultural Practices. International Journal of  Smart 
Agriculture, 3(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.54536/ijsa.
v3i1.3674   

Philippine Economic Zone Authority Information. 
(2022). https://www.peza.gov.ph

Philippine Economic Zone Authority Information. 
(2022). https://www.peza.gov.ph/special-economic-
zone-act

Philippine Statistic Authority. (2022). https://psa.gov.ph/ 



Pa
ge

 
10

https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajec

Am. J. Environ. Clim. 4(3) 1-10, 2025

Quebral, Jr., B. A., & Barcellano, E. V. (2024). The 
Viability of  Establishing a Knowledge, Innovation, 
Science, and Technology (KIST) Park in Isabela State 
University Echague Campus Philippines. American 
Journal of  Environment and Climate, 3(3), 28–38. https://
doi.org/10.54536/ajec.v3i3.2755

Russo, F., Chilà, G., Zito, C. (2022). Strategic Planning 
for Special Economic Zones to Ports of  the Future: 
System of  Models and Test Case. In: Gervasi, O., 
Murgante, B., Misra, S., Rocha, A.M.A.C., Garau, C. 
(eds) Computational Science and Its Applications – ICCSA 
2022 Workshops. ICCSA 2022. Lecture Notes in Computer 
Science (vol 13381). Springer, Cham. https://doi.
org/10.1007/978-3-031-10548-7_13 

Sun, W., Wu, J. & Yang, H. (2022). Increasing entrepreneurs 
through green industrial parks: evidence from special 
economic zones in China. The Annals of  Regional 
Science, 72, 287-312. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00168-
022-01200-3

Ugli, A. B. U. (2022). The Impact of  Tax Benefits on 
the Improvement of  Special Economic Zones. 
Central Asian Journal of  Theoretical and Applied Science, 
3(6), 371-376. Retrieved from https://cajotas.
centralasianstudies.org/index.php/CAJOTAS/
article/view/666 

Zeng, D. Z. (2021). The Dos and Don’ts of  Special Economic 
Zones. SSRN. https://ssrn.com/abstract=4007621. 


