City, private sector forge investment promo initiative
The Iloilo City government and the private sector have forged a public-private partnership in bringing to a higher level the trade and investment promotions of the city.
Businessman Felicito Tiu, newly inducted chairman of the Iloilo City Trade and Investment Promotions Board, said his group wants to help Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog make the city a premier business-friendly area in the Visayas.
The launching and induction of officers of the investment board was held Thursday at the Eon Centennial Hotel.
Tiu said the city is the capital of Western Visayas and considered as the educational center and major hub of business, commerce and trade in the region.
The investment board wants to help the city increase its revenue and income and in making easy the transaction between the city government and the business sector, he said.
Tiu owns a hotel, restaurant, processing and manufacturing company and is also a housing developer, realtor, a memorial park operator in Iloilo city and province of Iloilo.
He said that Mabilog is going in the right direction, adding that he hopes the development roadmap of the city administration is straightforward.
The newly created board will help the city chief executive realize his 10-point development agenda, Tiu said.
Aside from Tiu, other officers are Prudencio Relano of the Relano Realty Development Corp., vice chairman.
Members of the board of directors include former Tourism Undersecretary Salvador Sarabia Jr. of the Iloilo Convention and Visitors Bureau; Joemarie Agriam of the Iloilo Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Irma Lim of Lim Accounting Office; Fulbert Woo, former national president of the Philippine Jaycees; Jose Roni Penalosa of the City Planning and Development Office; City Executive Assistant Francis Cruz; Oscar Chua of the Iloilo Plastic Center; Ian Eric Pama of Valiant Bank; Valerie Maravilla of the Ilonggo Producers Association; Jigger Latoza of the University of San Agustin; and Dr. Roland Uy of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Investments
Meanwhile, Tiu said some P1-billion private sector investments are expected to come in to Iloilo City next year.
Among the incoming possible investments include the P600-million investments of American groups for the city government hospital; a retirement facility worth some P200 million from investors of Brunei; a 10-hectare property for a solar panel project, and a three-hectare expansion plan of Hinduja Group.
Iloilo City will also host an Economic Summit for local investors on March 2011, with focus on public -private partnership for city projects.*PNA
