ECONOMIC ZONES SITE SELECTION IN BUTUAN CITY USING MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION-MAKING APPROACH AND GIS TECHNIQUES

Abstract. Development of economic zones has been rapid in recent years and considered as one of the effective ways of promoting regional growth. Butuan City is categorized as a highly urbanized city and a regional center of Caraga which brings a huge impact to the economic growth in the region. Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach (MCDMA) using the pairwise comparison method of the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Geographic Information System techniques were integrated to identify the suitable locations for economic zones. There were nine (9) criteria used in this study such as roads, transport hubs, commercial areas, police station, electric post, water bodies, slope, land use and labor force. Suitability map was produced and used as basis for the analysis. The result of the analysis shows that in Butuan City, an area of 32.15 sq. km is considered highly suitable, 365.96 sq. km is moderately suitable, and 248.43 sq. km is low suitable. Most of the areas are considered as moderately suitable for the establishment of economic zones. The information derived from this study would be helpful to the local government of Butuan City and other agencies in determining suitable areas for economic zones. With this information, they may be able to implement solutions in finding the best location for each ecozone which will attract investors and create employment and other opportunities in the city.