By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
OH, WHAT a rendezvous, indeed!
On Labor Day (May 1) I got a chance to meet in Silay City, Negros Occidental my former media colleague and public relations (PR) contemporary – Megaworld Corporation’s Senior Assistant Vice President for PR and Head of Media Affairs Harold Brian Geronimo.
It was a quick meet-up since Harold was rushing to the Bacolod-Silay Airport for his mid-afternoon flight back to Manila.
Well, except his executive look, Harold remains “as is where is” – bubbly yet humble still.
Over simple food and then two slices of cake for dessert, we made our “date” memorable via “hearty” conversation – all about media and PR things.
But the interestingness of our discussion centered on the landing of Megaworld in Bacolod City. Much more when he said: “It’s a P45-B landing!”
OMG! (Oh, my God!), was my candid reaction.
Anyways, knowing Megaworld’s track records in doing business, I can’t help but quip: “It’s a magnificent investment beyond compare!” Hence, Bacolod, sans further ado, is truly “blessed” with Megaworld’s coming.
However, what struck my attention was when Harold confided that such Megaworld’s landing in the “City of Smiles” is projected to generate 250,000 jobs soonest.
To be honest, I was really “shocked”. Silently, the so-called “improbability” was registering in my mind at that time.
But the fact that I heard such revelation from Megaworld’s PR honcho per se, I really rested my “naughty” imagination. Then, I cast no doubt at all.
Not because Harold is my (long lost) friend, but simply because of Megaworld’s impressive track records in doing business across the country. What’s in my mind then are the McKinley Hills in Taguig City and the Eastwood City in Quezon City.
Both are Megaworld’s signature developments in Metro Manila that really, really “wowed” everyone.
And so, I murmured to myself that, with Megaworld, mega opportunities are in the offing, too, in Bacolod sooner.
WOW, BACOLOD!
Well, I further asked Harold lots of how(s) and why(s). So, he explained to me that this P45-B investment will be divided into two major components.
First, the P7-B will be devoted to Megaworld’s wholly-owned subsidiary’s Suntrust Properties’ Northill Gateway, a posh subdivision between Talisay City and Bacolod.
The P35-B, on the other hand, will be poured in The Upper East Avenue (TUEA) developments in Bacolod alone.
This TUEA, per my humble understanding based on Harold’s explanation, will be “glamorized” by a modern township or mixed community concept thru progressive developments.
Thus, TUEA will soon be “boasting” exceptionally-beautiful or “agaw-pansin” condominium towers, stunning fast-food chain stores, call center hubs, office buildings, mall and among other commercial spaces.
Total land area for this TUEA: 34 hectares.
So, it’ll gonna be “Wow, Bacolod!” right?
VENGEANCE IS ‘SWEET’
Now, what will be the ripple effect(s) of Megaworld’s mega landing in Bacolod?
First thing first, it’ll be “job(s), job(s), job(s)” for Bacolodnons and Negrosanons.
Next is a bullish economy for the city– no more, no less!
And so Mayor Bing Leonardia exclaimed: “This means so much for us!”
“These multi-billion investments represent the city’s road to recovery or a sort of our graduation from coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID- 19).”
“After two years that we have to suffer because of the pandemic,” stressed by the mayor, “we are now coming back with a vengeance. This is not just a rebound but more than that.”
Bing’s right!
Vengeance with Megaworld is so “sweet”, certainly! Bing or Bacolod, therefore, is so grateful with Megaworld. And the feeling, of course, is beyond quantification.
‘MAGNETIC AURA’
But why this Dr. Andrew Tan-led Megaworld has the confidence to decant its P45-B investment in Bacolod? It’s the billion-dollar question now?
Aside from Megaworld, the Sy-led SM Prime Holdings, Inc. and the Villars are also blatantly showing their full trust and confidence in investing in Bacolod.
The Tans, Sys and Villars are no ordinary investors. They’re capable of “enveloping” Bacolod with all their notable businesses/investments.
The Sys, for example, are currently building the Smile Residences (a condominium project) and the National University-Bacolod Campus in the city. The Villars, on the other hand, had already nested their “All Home” mall in Mandalagan area. On top of that, they also have high-end subdivisions and condos in the city.
Well, explained by a college professor on Social Sciences in one of the colleges in Bacolod (name withheld), the flooding of multi-billion (peso) investments in the city right now is so obvious.
It’s because of Bing’s formidable asset – a “magnetic aura” – that’s capable of luring investors – big or small, said the professor.
And because of this Bing’s magnetic aura, added by the professor, Bacolod is in its way now to having the best economic landscape and a progressive skyline soonest.
INVIGORATED BIZ CLIMATE
But Bacolod, in the real sense, has really an invigorated business climate. In fact, the city’s tax exemption packages are enticing for the investors and would-be investors.
Too, the city has this Business Development Promotions Center (BDPC) solely devoted to assist investors as to their immediate needs, especially in securing additional business permits and other related data.
Moreover, it also offers investment counselling, business linkages and networking, Undeniably, these are “superb ideas” that bore lots of goodness for the city.
With these, Bacolod (already) harvested accolades even at the height COVID-19 last year – all related to business.
Bacolod was named “Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City in Western Visayas” by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Too, it was cited as “Most Business-Friendly Highly-Urbanized City (HUC) outside National Capital Region (NCR)” by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).
ANOTHER ECO ‘GEM’
Bacolod has another economic /tourism “gem” that will probably magnet other potential investors. It’s the P163-million Bacolod MassKara Coliseum (BMC) currently being constructed along Alijis Circumferential Road.
BMC has the capacity to accommodate 10,000 people, so, fitted for big international or national gabs later. Also, it’ll house a multi- purpose museum and 800-seater amphitheater.
Once completed, the mayor believes BMC will “spell and spur” another brand new economic growth in the city.
‘CURVE AND CURB’
Complementing the city’s fastest growing and soon-to-be robust economy is Bing’s ultimate dream of converting the city-run Bacolod City College (BCC) to a university.
He wants to elevate BCC’s status from just a community college to a university so to further the city’s desire in ensuring quality of education for young Bacolodnons.
Thus, on Thursday (May 5), Bing led the blessing and inauguration the newly-completed additional facilities at BCC.
These included the P110-M, 1,000-seater, air-conditioned BCC Activity Center meant for students’ assemblies, meetings or conventions, including indoor sports activities.
But, all in all, the city government had already earmarked a total of P350-M for the entire BCC site development. Works are ongoing now!
Bing, dubbed as the “Father of BCC”, stressed that with the elevation of BCC to a university status sooner will mean “nomadic no more”. What a line – catchy yet meaty to dissect!
In sum, Bing’s “curve and curb” both in politics and public service cannot be undermined as always.
For some local political pundits in the city, Bing (for unspecified reasons yet) can always pull off mega surprises that amaze Bacolodnons.
Today, he may be “unpopular” but the next day, he’ll be great and famous again. Quite mystifying, but invariably astonishing in the end!/PN
