"THIS is a major development towards our goal in making Bacolod a 'Smart City' because an enhanced telecommunications infrastructure will boost our connectivity to the rest of the world."
This was the statement of Mayor Evelio Leonardia, as he received a big-time telecommunications investor at the Bacolod City Government Center Tuesday, March 16.
Converge ICT Solutions, a telecommunications service provider in the Philippines, is planning to roll out fast fiber Internet service in Bacolod City in the third quarter of this year, to serve homes and businesses.
Commonly referred to as Converge, the company operates fiber optic broadband networks, cable television, and cable Internet in the country.
Converge ICT Solution founder and chief executive officer Dennis Anthony Uy presented his company's plans to Leonardia and City Hall executives during his courtesy call on the mayor at the Bacolod City Government Center Tuesday.
In turn, Leonardia presented the city's situationer and performance, including the city's best practices and strategies in handling the Covid-19 pandemic, thereby balancing lives and livelihood.
Leonardia also presented the multi-billion investments in Bacolod just before the pandemic. These investments created thousands of jobs and livelihood opportunities for the people.
As the City is slowly rising from the effects of the pandemic, Leonardia expects that his administration's multi-million flagship projects will jump-start the city's economy.
For his part, Uy promised Leonardia that he will support the distance learning program of the local Department of Education (DepEd) and the children of informal settlers from different barangays of Bacolod City who were either evicted or victims of natural calamities.
Uy said he also wants to be a major sponsor of the MassKara Festival once the pandemic is over.
Uy was accompanied by MetroWorks ICT Construction president and chief operating officer Miles Tonn Chua, Negros Occidental Fourth District Board Member Jose Benito Alonso, Jem Escaro, CJ Castro, and Jana Victoria.
Joining Leonardia in receiving the guests were City Administrator Em Ang, City Legal Officer Joselito Bayatan, Secretary to the Mayor Edward Joseph Cuansing, Supervising and Administrative Officer Federico Guanzon, Executive Assistant George Zulueta, and Leipo-designate Jonah Javier. (PR)