A Comparative Study of the Socio-economic Effects of Special Economic Zones in the Municipalities of Dasmarinas and General Trias in Cavite

Abstract

Industrialization in different countries is already accelerating, due to the increasing foreign investments. Special economic zones are one of the catalysts of this industrialization. Many foreign investors are attracted to the incentives the zones offer. These zones have largely contributed to the economic development of their host countries, but how about the effects on the citizens9 Many researchers have already studied the social and economic effects of special economic zones in their host countries. They found out that majority of these countries have experienced positive socio-economic development. This study entitled A Comparative Study of the Socio-economic effects of Special Economic Zones in the Municipalities of Dasmarinas and General Trias in Cavite analyzes the effects of the establishment of economic zones in the two towns. It analyzes the socio-economic profiles of the two municipalities and the effects of the zones to these. Furthermore, this study compares the socio-economic effects of the economic zones in the two towns. The two municipalities have both experienced increase in educational institutions, enrollees, population, number of employees in the zones, exports, and salaries. The difference was the level of increase in number of employees, salaries and population. The zone in General Trias has a higher level of increase compared to the zone in Dasmarinas due the difference in the scale of their enterprises. Moreover, the increase in population in Dasmarinas was higher compared to General Trias because of the proximity of the first to Metro Manila.