Conglomerate to help shape Bacolod as 'dragon city'

BACOLOD. Alliance Global Group Incorporated chairman Dr. Andrew Lim Tan (fifth from left) receives a plaque from Mayor Evelio Leonardia (fourth from left) and Bacolaodiat Festival organizers led by chairperson Oddette Ong-Gomez (fifth from right) citing his support to the festival and for his conferment as adopted son and honorary mayor of the city during the Spring Festival Dinner at SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City Saturday. (Contributed photo)
BACOLOD. Alliance Global Group Incorporated chairman Dr. Andrew Lim Tan (fifth from left) receives a plaque from Mayor Evelio Leonardia (fourth from left) and Bacolaodiat Festival organizers led by chairperson Oddette Ong-Gomez (fifth from right) citing his support to the festival and for his conferment as adopted son and honorary mayor of the city during the Spring Festival Dinner at SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City Saturday. (Contributed photo)

CITING its potential as an investment destination, business tycoon Dr. Andrew Lim Tan said they are looking forward to helping shape Bacolod as a "dragon city."

Tan was guest at the Spring Festival Dinner at SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City on Saturday, January 30.

Prior to the event which is part of the 15th Bacolaodiat Festival celebration, the chairman of the Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI) was conferred adopted son and honorary mayor of the city.

In his speech during the dinner, Tan said the Negros Occidental capital city has so much potential.

"Our holding company is looking at Bacolod as a major investment destination," he added.

AGI is one of the largest conglomerates in the country.

The holding company consolidates Tan's business interests in real estate through Megaworld Corp., distilled spirits manufacturing through Emperador Inc., quick service restaurant, integrated tourism through Travellers International Hotel Group which operates Resorts World Manila and infrastructure development through Infracorp Development Incorporated.

"We see a lot of opportunities to expand our businesses here so we can generate more jobs, help more communities, support local entrepreneurs, help boost tourism and contribute more to the city's economic progress," its chairman said.

It can be recalled that the conglomerate, through Megaworld, has poured in at least P35 billion worth of investments in the province.

The amount accounts for a total of 87-hectare two township development projects in cities of Bacolod and Talisay.

Tan said part of their vision for these townships is to be able to contribute to the city's booming tourism industry.

The first project is the 53-hectare Northill Gateway worth P7 billion situated along airport access road.

Tan said that, in this development, they built the Bacolod Welcome Marker upon the suggestion of Mayor Evelio Leonardia to provide visitors and tourists with a perfect spot to drop by and take their photos.

"We built this as a token of gratitude for the city," he said, adding that "by next year, a modern McDonald's store will open beside this marker."

The other development is the P28 billion The Upper East poised to be the new and modern central and business district in Bacolod City.

The 34-hectare mix-use development project is located on the eastern side of the city, near the government center, that used to be the Bacolod-Murcia Milling Company compound.

The tycoon said they are building here a first-of-its-kind shopping mall that showcases an iconic clock tower, which they envision to be another landmark for the city.

"In this township, we will also build a hotel to further boost the city's capacity to accommodate more tourists and visitors," Tan said, adding that "hopefully, we can also build another art museum here."

Also during the Spring Festival Dinner, Tan received a plaque from Bacolaodiat Inc. citing his support to the festival.

The festival organizer also congratulated him on his conferment as the adopted son and honorary mayor of the city.

Tan said aside from its rich and colorful history, Bacolod always has a good story to tell including its Bacolaodiat Festival.

For him, the festivity is "one of a kind" as it demonstrates unity amid cultural diversity.

"Truly, Bacolod is making a mark not only in celebrating the Filipino-Chinese culture in the province but also in creating more reasons for people to visit and experience this beautiful city," Tan noted.

As he congratulated the organizers for making Bacolaodiat a landmark festival for Bacolod City and Negros Occidental, he said tourism programs like this allow people to discover more about our culture and for tourists and visitors to learn more about the locality.

"Tourism generates jobs and opportunities. It allows businesses to flourish. It brings us together to embrace creativity, celebrate friendships and foster unity and solidarity," Tan said.

It gives people the reason to smile, he added.

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