CAR is an upland area with temperate climate varying across elevations within the mountain ranges. It boasts of historical, cultural and ecotourism sites. The region is endowed with vast potentials for mineral development and hydropower generation. The physiographic character of CAR is ideal for high-technology manufacturing industries, including research and development activities. The BLIST Metro Area (Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba) is fast becoming a globally competitive educational center in the Philippines and can supply the manpower needs and skills requirement of IT industries.
Another opportunity is the inclusion of CAR in the North Luzon Cluster of regions. The cluster – known to have explored economic cooperative arrangements with leading Asia-Pacific Economies like Taiwan, Southern China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea – can bring agribusiness, manufacturing industry and tourism investments to CAR. In particular, the Baguio Export Processing Zone in Baguio City can be the site for foreign direct investments (FDIs) on these various types of industrial activities. Moreover, under the super regions strategy, the government’s pursuit of developing a Cyber Corridor-ICT knowledge economy with Baguio City as its northern node, could bring to CAR expanded operation of business process outsourcing / information technology devices industry within the plan period ending 2010. Further, the government’s renewed thrust on mining could cause the region to venture on mineral exploration and mining industry development.
Table 1.1 Assessment of Macro-Economic Performance, CAR : 2004-2006
*Source for 2004 and 2005 exports data : 2006 PSY
Source for 2006 PEZA data : Baguio PEZA
* 2003 FIES data