CITING the business-enabling climate and vast areas for commercial development in Bacolod, an official said Negros Occidental’s capital city is capable of welcoming more investors including “balikbayans.”

Councilor Bart Orola, who spoke at the opening of BSD Building at Barangay Mansilingan in Bacolod City Friday, February 8, said the number of business establishments in the city has been increasing tremendously.

Orola, who is the chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) committee on markets, said the city has also become an “interesting” area for “balikbayans” who plan to venture into business.

“We have to continue promoting the vibrant business environment of Bacolod City in the international scene including those potential Bacoleño investors based abroad,” he said.

“Inviting more balikbayans to invest here would translate to more employment opportunities for the people,” he added.

The councilor cited Hong Kong-based Bacoleño couple Bryan and Sheryl Dueñas, who constructed a two-story commercial building on an estimated 1,000-square-meter property in Barangay Mansilingan.

Orola said the investment brought in by the couple is seen to spur growth in the interior portion of the city. There are still many areas for development especially in the southern part, he said.

“We have to invite more balikbayans like them,” Orola said, as he assured that the city government continues to implement policies and measures that would attract more investors, such as the one-stop-shop business permit licensing system.

The just-opened building, which is located near a residential area, offers 20 commercial spaces. As of Friday, about half is already occupied.

Sheryl Dueñas said they were encouraged to invest in a commercial building after they learned of various property development projects in the city.

She was confident that the locators in their building would have a captive market from the subdivisions nearby.

“Through this structure, we hope to address the needs of the surrounding communities,” she said.

Her husband, who is a pilot, said the building is the realization of their family’s dream.

”We hope to eventually expand,” he said, adding that “we will bring here the money from Hongkong.”

The couple is also engaged in an egg production business.

Meanwhile, also present during the event were Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and first lady Elsa Leonardia.