The Hijo Industrial Estate (HIE) and Hijo Special Economic Zone (HSEZ) represent Tagum City premier deep-water maritime port and agro-industrial corridor. Located in coastal Barangay Madaum along the protected basin of Davao Gulf, the estate serves as an international gateway for agro-processing, cold chain storage, and high-value exports.
Developed by Hijo Resources Corporation (HRC), the estate holds dual economic zone privileges. The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) designated the estate as Mindanao premier Food Terminal Hub, while the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) registered 325 hectares as a flagship Mixed-Use Tourism Enterprise Zone at Banana Beach Resort.
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Core Estate Parameters & Operational Metrics
Here is an at-a-glance breakdown of key operational, regulatory, and logistics metrics for Hijo Industrial Estate:
166-Hectare SEZ
Part of the 760-hectare master-planned township within the 1054-hectare total plantation holdings in Barangay Madaum.
Food Terminal Hub
Declared by PEZA as Mindanao premier Food Terminal Hub, anchored by Hijo Superfoods automated manufacturing facility.
325-Hectare Tourism Zone
Officially registered under Republic Act 9593 with 4.5 kilometers of pristine beach frontage along Davao Gulf.
Deep-Water Port
Features 13 meters natural controlling depth, two operational commercial berths, and 25 hectares of dedicated port backland.
Clean Energy Grid
On-site photovoltaic generation paired with reverse osmosis industrial sewage treatment and a 3-hectare ecological greenbelt.
Multimodal Logistics
Connected to Daang Maharlika AH26 highway, private on-site Hijo Airstrip, and Francisco Bangoy International Airport 56 km away.
Heritage, Founding History & Corporate Governance
Hijo Resources Corporation carries one of the most storied corporate pedigrees in the Philippines, tracing its origins to 1763. During the British invasion of Manila, prominent Chinese merchant Son-Tua helped defend the capital and was awarded royal land, adopting the name Don Antonio Tuason as the only Filipino family elevated to Spanish nobility.
In the 1940s, the property operated as an abaca plantation under Hijo Plantation Incorporated. Founder Jose Boy Tuason launched modern operations in 1959, partnering with Apo Fruits Corporation in 1966 to initiate the country first commercial Cavendish banana exports to Japan.
In October 2007, Twin Rivers Economic and Development Company and Apo Estates Corporation merged into Hijo Resources Corporation. Today the parent firm is jointly owned by the Tuason Group and Fuji Fruits Company of Japan.
Second and third-generation leadership under Chief Executive Officer Rosanna Tuason-Fores drives sustainable diversification across smart agriculture, automated food manufacturing, port logistics, and clean energy. Zone administration for Hijo Special Economic Zone is supervised locally by the PEZA Davao del Norte Zone Office under Officer-in-Charge Lulette Sanchez.
The FELICE Framework: Guiding Corporate Philosophy
All estate planning and community development across Hijo follow the visionary FELICE business model conceptualized by founder Jose Boy Tuason Jr. This framework balances commercial industrial growth with social progress and ecological conservation:
F Food Security
Pioneering automated food processing through Hijo Superfoods, climate-resilient farming, hydroponic greenhouses, and high-yield Cavendish banana cultivation for ASEAN export.
E Education & Skills
Technical workforce training centers, agronomy scholarships, and skills transfer programs in partnership with regional state universities across Davao del Norte.
L Leisure & Hospitality
Responsible tourism centered on Banana Beach Resort, Lanikai boutique hotel, The Spot aquaculture dining, and a 60-hectare conserved coastal forest sanctuary.
I Cultural Identity
Honoring indigenous heritage, preserving coastal ecology along Davao Gulf, and positioning Tagum City as an internationally recognized center of agro-industrial excellence.
C Cottage Enterprise
Empowering local community cooperatives, smallholder fruit growers, artisanal supply chains, and ecotourism guide services within Barangay Madaum.
E Equity & Sustainability
Long-term stakeholder value, inclusive employment, clean energy utilization, and wetland preservation across the Hijo and Libuganan river watersheds.
PEZA Food Terminal Hub & Automated Manufacturing
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority officially designated Hijo Industrial Estate as Mindanao premier Food Terminal Hub during ceremonies held at WREC Hall in Madaum. PEZA Director General Brigadier General Charlito B. Plaza commended the estate as the future center of high-technology food processing and distribution for international export.
Hijo Superfoods Automated Facility
The flagship enterprise within the food hub is Hijo Superfoods Inc., recognized as the first fully-automated food manufacturing plant in the Philippines.
- Automated Processing Lines: High-precision drying, milling, and vacuum packing for banana flour and fruit purée.
- Clean Room Standards: Certified hygienic processing adhering to strict ISO, HACCP, and international food safety rules.
- Value-Added Exports: Transforming raw agricultural yields into shelf-stable superfood commodities for European, American, and Asian markets.
- Zero Waste Integration: Converting fruit processing byproducts into organic soil conditioners and agricultural compost.
Hijo Central & DBP Strategic Partnership
To fund major expansion, Hijo Resources Corporation partnered with the Development Bank of the Philippines for project capital.
- 132-Hectare Hijo Central: Smart sustainable master development integrating commercial, residential, and logistics zones.
- Four-Phase Execution: Coordinated rollout of smart utility grids, cold chain terminals, and light industrial park spaces.
- Catchment Trade Area: Direct access to 1.64 million consumers across Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental.
- ASEAN Gateway: Positioned as the primary agribusiness corridor linking BIMP-EAGA trade lanes to East Asia.
TIEZA 325-Hectare Tourism Enterprise Zone (TEZ)
In addition to industrial manufacturing, 325 hectares of the property is officially registered as a Mixed-Use Tourism Enterprise Zone under the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority. Created by Republic Act 9593, this designation offers distinct fiscal incentives while protecting unique natural coastal resources.
Dual-Incentive Special Economic Ecosystem
Enterprises operating in Hijo benefit from a unique dual-framework. Industrial processors access PEZA incentives including corporate income tax holidays and duty exemptions, while hospitality and ecotourism ventures access TIEZA fiscal privileges and infrastructure support.
The TIEZA zone features significant natural and hospitality assets that distinguish Hijo from conventional industrial estates:
- 4.5-Kilometer Coastline: Extensive natural beach frontage along Davao Gulf suited for maritime recreation and coastal walks.
- 60-Hectare Conserved Forest: Second-growth coastal forest sanctuary populated by native monkeys, wild boars, and diverse tropical bird species.
- Mangrove River Networks: Twin river estuaries protected by regional flood control programs along the Hijo and Libuganan river systems.
- Established Hospitality Venues: Includes Banana Beach Resort, Lanikai luxury boutique accommodations, and The Spot dining pavilion.
Maritime Logistics: Hijo International Port (HIP)
Maritime connectivity is anchored by Hijo International Port, a deep-water commercial terminal engineered to service international cargo liners, reefer vessels, and bulk mineral carriers in the sheltered waters of Davao Gulf:
1. Berthing Specifications & Draft
Engineered for high-volume agricultural and containerized freight moving between Mindanao and overseas consumer markets.
- 13-Meter Natural Depth: Controlling draft capable of berthing international container ships and ocean reefer vessels.
- Two Active Berths: Continuous commercial quayside operations with dedicated stevedoring and arrastre crews.
- 25-Hectare Port Zone: Spacious apron, heavy-equipment marshalling yards, and specialized storage tanks.
- On-Dock Regulatory Stations: Resident Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Plant Industry inspection hubs for expedited release.
2. Hinterland Connectivity & Aviation
Multimodal transportation infrastructure links the terminal directly to regional agricultural corridors.
- Tagum City Center (15 km): Direct link to city administrative agencies, commercial banking, and vocational talent.
- Highway Corridors: Fast access to Davao-Butuan Highway, Tagum-Mati Highway, and Tagum-Maco Highway via AH26.
- Davao International Airport (56 km): Francisco Bangoy Airport reachable in 45 minutes for passenger and air cargo flights.
- Private On-Site Airstrip: Dedicated Hijo Airstrip facility supporting executive flights and rapid transit.
Sustainability & Eco-Industrial Utility Grid
Unlike legacy industrial parks, Hijo Industrial Estate integrates modern green infrastructure to minimize operational carbon emissions and water usage:
| Green Utility System | Technical Specification | Industrial Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Clean Solar Energy | 5-hectare dedicated photovoltaic solar field | Generates on-site renewable power, reducing grid tariffs and lowering carbon footprints for tenant cold-chain operations. |
| Wastewater Treatment | Centralized industrial STP with reverse osmosis purification | Treats industrial wastewater to strict environmental standards, enabling water recycling for landscaping and washdown. |
| Ecological Greenbelt | 3-hectare open space with rain gardens, bio-swales and retention pond | Naturally filters 100 percent of stormwater runoff while acting as a natural acoustic buffer against industrial noise. |
| Information Infrastructure | Underground high-speed fiber-optic telecommunications backbone | Ensures redundant digital connectivity for modern port operating systems and global supply chain tracking. |
| Sustainable Mobility | Dedicated pedestrian sidewalks and segregated bicycle lanes | Promotes non-motorized employee commuting within the estate and reduces localized vehicle emissions. |
Regional Comparison: Major Mindanao Industrial Hubs
Here is how Hijo Industrial Estate compares with other key port-centric industrial complexes in the Davao Region and Northern Mindanao:
| Development Name | Location | Maritime Access | Specialized Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hijo Industrial Estate (HIE) | Madaum, Tagum City | Hijo International Port (13m draft) | Agro-processing, PEZA food hub, TIEZA eco-tourism, solar power, automated manufacturing. |
| Anflo Industrial Estate (AIE) | Panabo City, Davao del Norte | Davao International Container Terminal | Light manufacturing, food packing, cold storage, container transshipment. |
| PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate | Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental | Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT) | Heavy industry, steel fabrication, power generation. Read our PHIVIDEC profile. |
| Sasa Commercial Port | Sasa, Davao City | Sasa Port Terminal | Public commercial pier serving domestic inter-island roll-on roll-off and container vessels. |
Industrial Uniform & Corporate Workwear Supply for Tagum Enterprises
As a homegrown manufacturer with direct production facilities in Tagum City, RB Advertising delivers prompt local fitting, custom design, and volume manufacturing for tenants, port operators, and plantation staff across Barangay Madaum:
- Corporate & Executive Polo Shirts: Breathable poly-cotton and honeycomb fabric shirts customized for port administration, supervisors, and office staff. Explore our custom polo shirts collection.
- Heavy-Duty Technician Uniforms: High-visibility reflective safety vests, durable mechanic twill pants, and reinforced field jackets built for industrial port operations.
- Computerized Logo Embroidery: High-precision corporate logos, department names, and safety designations crafted by our local embroidery services team.
- Custom Event & Departmental T-Shirts: Full-color sublimation and silkscreen printing for company sports events and safety milestones from our custom t-shirts catalog.
Order Custom Workwear & Corporate Apparel in Tagum City
Visiting from Hijo Industrial Estate or Tagum City businesses? Our local production team provides same-day sample viewing, digital mockups, and official quotations.
Direct local manufacturing and same-day delivery across Tagum City, Madaum, and Davao del Norte.
Naungayan Building, Aala Road, Barangay Mankilam, Tagum City
View on MapSobrecary Street (In front of Velox Gas Station), Tagum City
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