P-Noy to unveil Iloilo Business Park on June 11, Negros adapts to change
B ACOLOD CITY — A symbol of the rapid socio economic changes sweeping across the Philippines in recent years is the dramatic transformations in mainly agricultural Western Visayas, officially designated as Region VI. This former bastion of once politically ascendant sugar barons with vast haciendas and sugar mills consists of six provinces: Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo, with 16 cities of which Iloilo City is the regional center.
News reports have focused more on President Noynoy Aquino and Ilonggo Senate President Franklin Drilon leading the 117th Independence Day celebration on June 12 in Iloilo’s old capital, Sta. Barbara town — the first time the commemoration of the country’s Independence Day will be taking place outside Luzon.
However, sources told us that a day before, on June 11, President Aquino will launch the 72-hectare Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, and unveil Richmonde Hotel Iloilo — new projects of the country’s fourth wealthiest billionaire, Andrew Tan of Megaworld.
Iloilo is the hometown of Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) honorary president and philanthropist Dr. Alfonso Uy, who owns the country’s second biggest flour mill Philippine Foremost Milling, singer-songwriter and sugar businessman Jose Mari Chan, energy billionaire Oscar Lopez and his nephew, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. boss Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III.
By the way, congratulations to Summit Media’s Lisa Gokongwei Cheng and her editorial team led by former Financial
Times correspondent Roel Landingin for the successful launch of the inaugural issue of Forbes Philippines magazine with Andrew Tan on the cover.
Lisa’s father, JG Summit Holdings and Cebu Pacific Air founder John Gokongwei Jr., who’s a voracious book and magazine reader, was among the numerous tycoons and VIPs in attendance, led by ex-President Fidel V. Ramos, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Tan and Christopher Forbes.
ANDREW TAN IS TOP INVESTOR IN WESTERN VISAYAS
Unknown to most people, Megaworld and Alliance Global Group founder Andrew Tan is emerging as the biggest single investor and catalyst of socioeconomic changes in the Western Visayas region.
Apart from its Boracay Newcoast project, with a one-kilometer white sand beach coastline and the Iloilo Business Park, I recently saw two sprawling properties in the Negros Occidental province of the Lacson and Araneta haciendero clans, which Megaworld and its sister firms like Suntrust will develop into townships totalling P35 billion in investments. Megaworld expects these two townships to contribute 250,000 direct and indirect new jobs in Bacolod City and nearby areas.
Tan’s two mega projects are the 50-hectare Northhill township on the Lacson clan’s former Hacienda Santa Maria near the famous Ruins, and the 34-hectare Upper East on the Araneta family’s BacolodMurcia Milling Company (BMMC). The Aranetas also own Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City.
When asked how their family felt about changing their famed Hacienda Santa Maria sugar plantation into Megaworld’s mixed- use township, Suzette Lacson, her brother Felipe “Philip Lacson Jr. and son Eugene Lacson told me they could no longer depend on sugar economically as a clan or a community. They also know the new challenges of global competition and the coming Asean economic integration, and that they and Negros Occidental should change or suffer decline.
The Lacsons, whose cousins own and operate The Ruins as a famous tourist destination next to their sugar plantations, said they negotiated with seven top developers before they decided that it
was Andrew Tan of Megaworld and sister firm Suntrust who shared their vision for their lands. They said self-made taipan Tan reminded them of their Chinese immigrant ancestor who founded the Lacson clan, from stories of their forebear’s entrepreneurial exploits.
Among their many Lacson kin is Manila’s late famous Mayor Arsenio Lacson, Philippine revolutionary leader General Aniceto Lacson (who established his own Negros republic with himself as president), political foes former First Gentleman Atty. Mike Arroyo and Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.
QATAR AIRWAYS SUPPORTS PHILIPPINE TOURISM & FDIs
We in the Philippines should not rely too much on our cash cows, from OFWs to call centers and BPOs. We should diversify and secure our economy’s future with proactive changes, similar to once oil/gas-dependent Qatar, which is now changing fast.
Qatar recently invited a group of business writers to see that amazing country, which is the world’s richest in per-capita income. Rapid changes are afoot in its bold diversification strategies to be less dependent on oil and natural gas exports in its booming economy, and it’s mounting impressive preparations to host the prestigious World Cup 2022. Qatar officials said they’re interested in increasing foreign direct investments (FDI) in the Philippines, hoping bilateral ties and direct air links can be improved.
Qatar’s economic boom is fuelled mainly by its owning the world’s third largest natural gas and oil reserves in excess of 25 billion barrels. It also owns the global media group Al Jazeera Network, where the daughter of Philippine STAR columnist Carmen Pedrosa — Veronica Pedrosa — is now correspondent.
Qatar Airways is set to have crucial bilateral air talks on May 27 and 28 to seek more Manila-to-Doha flights, not only to service over 300,000 overseas Filipino workers there but to promote the country to the whole world.
Qatar Airways group chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker said they support the growth of Philippine tourism and will help promote our islands as a top tourist destination. He also hopes to see the strengthening of economic exchanges between Qatar and the Philippines, with increased direct flights between the two countries.
What are the secrets of Qatar Airways’ success, achieved in only a few years? Akbar Al Baker said: “Qatar Airways has grown to more than 140 destinations worldwide, offering unmatched levels of service excellence that have helped excel the award- winning carrier to become best in the world. Voted Airline of the Year 2011 and in 2012 in the prestigious Skytrax industry audit, Qatar Airways has won the confidence of the traveling public. Airlines looking to maintain or grow their position in the marketplace must provide high-quality service with ever-increasing efficiency.”
One of the business leaders of the Middle East, Akbar Al Baker is leading the multi-billion-dollar development of Hamad International Airport in Doha City, which is now home to Qatar Airways. Al Baker is a member of the executive committee of the Arab Air Carriers Organisation, a member of the board of governors of the International Air Transport Association, and a non-executive director of London’s Heathrow Airport Holdings.
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