The Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) attended the Inside Asian Gaming (IAG) Academy Integrated Resorts Awards on September 13, 2023 at Hilton Manila, Newport World Resorts. Sec. Katrina Ponce Enrile, Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of CEZA, was invited as an honorary guest who also partook in the conferment of awards, particularly in the Corporate Awards Division that covered recognitions for Best Overall Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative, Best Overall Corporate Social Responsibility Program, Best Legal and Compliance Program, Best Integrated Resorts Workplace, and Best Corporate Image.

The IAG Academy IR Awards is said to honor the best-of-the-best in the gaming industry through a transparent and impartial awarding process. This particular event recognized outstanding players of the industry in the Asia-Pacific Region with 3 hall of honor recognitions and 20 awards in 4 divisions.

The event was graced by Mr. Andrew Scott, Vice Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of IAG. Also present during the occasion was an array of business owners, executives, experts, government authorities engaged in the Asia Pacific Region’s gaming, resort and entertainment industry.

It can be recalled that CEZA caters to both land-based and interactive gaming operations. In fact, it is the first interactive gaming jurisdiction in Asia and has been known as one of the most established and reputable gaming authorities in this Region. As such, the gaming industry used to be among the biggest income generators of CEZA, contributing to hundreds of millions of revenues to the national coffer until 2017, when CEZA had to give up a significant portion of its gaming locators, following E.O. No. 13 of then President Rodrigo Duterte that clarified the jurisdiction and authority of agencies like CEZA in the regulation and licensing of gaming operations and facilities. With the credibility and wide-network that has been established since 2005 by the organizer, the Inside Asian Gaming (IAG), CEZA’s participation in this activity also became an opportunity to re-introduce itself as a gaming authority.

With over 28 years of solid experience as a gaming authority, backed by a transparent regulation, modern infrastructure and support facilities, wide network of private and public partners, and supplemented by the wonderful hotspots and strategic location of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (CSEZFP) around the globe, Sec. Enrile is confident that CEZA is now ready, more than ever, to take over the gaming industry once again. #InvestWithCEZA