BACOLOD City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) approved a resolution declaring Megaworld Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Dr. Andrew L. Tan an “adopted son of Bacolod City” in time for the 15th Bacolaodiat Festival (Chinese New Year) from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia asked the city council for such declaration to acknowledge the contribution of Tan to Bacolod’s progress through the businessman’s investments reaching several billions of pesos.
The SP will give a copy of the resolution to Tan on Feb. 5, according to Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, the SP presiding officer.
Tan’s investments created employment and spurred Bacolod’s economic growth, added Familiaran.
During the Bacolaodiat Festival, Tan would also be made an “Honorary Mayor of Bacolod City.”
According to Leonardia, the choice of Tan as adopted son of Bacolod and the city’s honorary mayor had the support of Bacolod City’s Filipino-Chinese community.
“The development of Megaworld Corp. in the city has brought tremendous business and employment opportunities for which we are truly grateful for, especially that this new growth center is located so close to the Bacolod City Government Center,” he stressed.
Being the largest real estate developer in the Philippines, Tan’s Megaworld Corp. is a formidable byword, recognized not just in the country but also abroad, Leonardia added.
He described Tan as “a visionary and trendsetter in the real estate industry, among others, with his Live-Work-Play-Learn lifestyle formula. Without doubt, he is highly respected.”
Other Filipino-Chinese businessmen made as adopted sons of Bacolod in the past were Lucio Tan, John Gokongwei Jr., Henry Sy, and Eduardo Cojuangco Jr.
Other prominent adopted sons of Bacolod were singer-businessman Jose Mari Chan, boxing icon Sen. Manny Pacquiao and former senator Alberto Romulo./PN
