Iloilo City primes up for 2010
I’ve devoted too much attention to politics during the year just passed, and I’ve neglected to update readers of this blog about what’s going on in Iloilo City, especially in terms of business and infrastructure development.
So much has taken place during the last few months and it would be a grave sin not to write about it. I think it’s the best way to start the new year — talk about the big developments that will reshape the landscape of Iloilo City.
Perhaps the most exciting project that’s now under construction is the Paseo de Iloilo, the dream project of Bombo Radyo’s Dr. Roger Florete, on his prime property along Benigno Aquino Ave. (or better known as “Diversion Road”). I haven’t seen the blueprint, but this project is definitely going to be the next center of the city’s nightlife. I know a restaurant operator who already reserved for store space, and he thinks it will be a big hit among party people.
From what I’ve heard on the grapevine, the Paseo will feature a center stage where performers can do concerts to entertain diners and party-goers in an outdoor courtyard. This will allow the Paseo management to bring in the more popular bands in Manila to perform here. Right now, concerts are staged at the SM City parking lot, or even the sports complex. The Paseo is likely to target this concert market.
The development of the Small Ville isn’t over. The original strip mall is undergoing renovation, with a second level now almost completed, and thereby allow its tenants to cater to more customers. Just a stone throw away is an eight-story hotel, Smallville 21, a project of Romeo Go of Century 21 and Highway 21. This will bring to a total of three the hotels in the vicinity. Definitely, this will appeal to business travelers who want to be in the center of the action. Business and pleasure can all be done in just one place. No need to take short rides to other places. And the choice of watering holes is ever increasing.
On the infrastructure side, the “promenade drive” from the Molo bridge to the diversion road is completed, providing motorists a convenient alternate route to and from Molo. This will certainly decongest General Luna St., the main thoroughfare going to Molo.
And there’s also the second vehicular flyover that’s being built on General Luna St. crossing Jalandoni st. This project is also expected to ease the flow of traffic in this area, although there are reservations about it. For one thing, it forced the cutting down of trees on the middle islands of the street. Secondly, it will also cover the historic University of San Agustin. The first vehicular flyover near the University of the Philippines in the Visayas doesn’t seem to have improved traffic flow in the area. And there’s also a big question about the cost! The first flyover is believed to be grossly overpriced, and rumor has it that President Gloria Mapacapagal Arroyo is much too embarrassed to even inaugurate it.
Anyhow, these projects will definitely push Iloilo City forward in terms of economic development. The only missing link in the equation is the availability of cheap power. The coal fired power plant of Global Business Power Corp. is now going up and it’s estimated to be operational in 18 months. We can only hope that it can deliver on its promise of reliable and cheap power. That’s the one thing Iloilo needs to move up several notches in the ladder for the most attractive investment places in the country.
Suansing named Customs deputy commissioner
This appointment was so low profile that I didn’t know about it until I read a story about two weeks ago about the plan of the Bureau of Customs to procure additional firearms for its police force, and my friend, Horacio “Toto” Suansing, Jr., was already referred to as Deputy Customs Commissioner.
Toto did an outstanding job as Collector of the Port of Manila, and this is a well-deserved promotion for him. And he is yet another pride of the Ilonggo people, as he is a home-grown Ilonggo. He is the older brother of the late Ivan P. Suansing, and the nephew of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago.
Congratulations, Toto!
Suansing named Customs deputy commissioner
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Mike Enriquez is in town
Popular TV anchorman Mike Enriquez arrived in Iloilo this morning for a low-profile visit. He took the Cebu Pacific flight that landed at around 8:15 a.m. and was fetched at the airport by a vehicle of the city assessor’s office. It is not known how long he will be in Iloilo. Is he here for a story? Imbestigador? Or just a quick visit with friends? It appears even the GMA station in Iloilo was unaware of his visit, as there was no local GMA staff who greeted him at the airport.
The Capitol in Action Podcast
In case you haven’t noticed, I have set up a link to the podcast edition of “The Capitol in Action,” the weekly radio program I am hosting over Aksyon Radyo Iloilo <http://www.aksyonradyoiloilo.net/>. This will enable Ilonggos all over the world to keep track of issues and news concerning the Iloilo Provincial Government with the convenience of mp3 downloads. You can find the link under the category “Podcasts” on the sidebar at the right side of this page. Or you can click on the link below to go there directly:
<http://www.gcast.com/u/boymejorada/main/>
You can subscribe to the podcast on your Yahoo toolbar. Just follow the instructions on the podcast home page.
BusinessWeek lists Iloilo as ‘ideal BPO location’
The influential international magazine, “BusinessWeek,” has included Iloilo City in its list of ideal locations for business process outsourcing (BPO) businesses around the world.
http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/107048/Where-Your-Job-Could-Be-Outsourced
Pushing for Iloilo as special economic zone
I had a chat with city councilor Lex Tupas on FaceBook last night and learned about the city legislature’s concern about the capital being left out in the proposed Senate Bill filed by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago to establish a special economic zone and free port in the Province of Iloilo.
According to Lex, the council adopted a resolution in yesterday’s regular session pushing for the inclusion of Iloilo City in the coverage of the SEZA-Free Port. I told him we already made that recommendation in a letter sent by Governor Niel Tupas Sr. to Senator Santiago two weeks ago as our input to the committee hearing conducted by Senator Mar Roxas.
Indeed, a special economic zone and free port cannot leave out Iloilo City. This is the center of trade and commerce. it is where our internatonal port facilities are situated. As proposed, the SEZA will include the city, Leqanes, Zarraga, Dumangas, Pavia and Sta. Barbara.
Senator Miriam’s bill deserves everybody’s support. It should cut through partisan lines. Raul Gonzalez, Art Defensor, Ferj Biron and Judy Syjuco, on the one hand, should work together with the Tupases to make this happen. I would add that all the congressmen in Panay should work as one to push for it.
This might come a little late, but as the saying goes, better late than never.
Miriam eyes Iloilo as special economic zone
Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago is pushing for the establishment of a special economic zone and free port in the whole Province of Iloilo to attract big investments here and accelerate its economic growth.
This plan is contained in Senate Bill No. 3169 that the Ilongga senator filed before the Upper Chamber of Congress recently and seeks to bring her home province on a level playing field with the likes of Subic, Clark, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Davao by making it a special economic zone and free port.
Governor Niel Tupas, Sr. expressed full support for the legislative initiative, saying that unless Iloilo can offer the same advantages and benefits that Subic and Clark does, big manufacturers will find little incentive to bring huge capital to the province.
In a letter to Senator Santiago, Tupas said this could push the province to greater heights of glory and reclaim its old title as the “Queen City of the South”. Iloilo was already the second busiest port in the country — next only to Manila — at the turn of the 20th century because of natural advantages that it enjoys.
Iloilo’s well-protected harbor makes an ideal shipping center, and its establishment as a free port will make the idea more plausible. I’ve always advocated developing that stretch of coastline from the present International Port in Loboc to the municipal port in Naluoyan, Dumangas, with the land along the coastal road as container yards and warehouse facilitiies.
With a proposed bridge that would connect Iloilo with Guimaras, the concept becomes more attractive, as we can combine a special economic zone with a tourism zone that can rival Subic.
The Senate committees on economic affairs, ways and means, local government units, and finance temporarily chaired by another Ilonggo senator, Mar Roxas, tackled the senate bill yesterday morning. With his support, the bill is likely to be fast tracked in Congress and approved before 2010.
Center for professional development opens in Iloilo
A group of educators from the West Visayas State University have formed a consortium to provide top-quality professional skills training for Ilonggos of all ages.
The Howell Center for Professional Development was inaugurated on Thursday evening, April 2, just across Gate 1 of the Central Philippine University, with initial course offerings on foreign languages, IELTS, public speaking and the basics of public governance. Professor Sharon Quimpo, who has done a splendid job as director of the WVSULanguage School until her resignation last month, is the executive director.
The center hopes to fill the gap in helping professionals, both in the private and public sectors, to sharpen certain competencies, notably in communications, to enhance their career advancement.
As I remarked during the inaugural program, college graduates can be considered as “rough diamonds” when they complete their university education, and the training center will help them “spot polish” the skills they need to move ahead in the career ladder.
Among the consultants who will handle courses at the center are Dr. Myrna Rico-Lopez and Prof. Majella Palacios.
The center is owned and managed by spouses Muhammed Ismael Howell.
The owners of the Howell Center for Professional Development, Mr. and Mrs. Muhammed Ismael Howell, welcoming guests.
