THE business climate in Iloilo remains stable and no investment withdrawal was recorded in the past two months despite the "shabulized," or where illegal drugs are rampant, tag given to Iloilo courtesy of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Lawyer Mark Piad, spokesman of Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog who was also included in the Duterte list of narco-politicians in Western Visayas, said business in Iloilo remain bullish.
Piad said the attitude of investors clearly shows their full trust and confidence on the leadership of the mayor and makes Iloilo City remain a very attractive site for national and international investors.
Business queries continue to come in from prospective investors and business locators, Piad added.
Ongoing construction are the multi-billion investment of Gaisano Capital for its Iloilo City Business Park along the diversion road and the massive expansion and infrastructures of the Megaworld Corp, expansion of the Atria Park of the Ayala Holdings, and the soon to be completed Plazuela II of the Florete Group of Companies.
Not far behind are the expansion projects of SM Holdings and Double Dragon Corp and Injap Group.
Robinsons Corp is also opening its new shopping mall early next week in Jaro district.
Piad said the City Government is doing its best to attract more investors to the city and make the city skyline, especially along the diversion road, change for the better with the construction of more commercial buildings.
The spokesman said that Mabilog is determined and working hard for Iloilo City to seek its own place in the country’s map as the emerging and growing metropolis despite its negative "shabu," locally known as methamphetamine hydrochloride, label. (LCP/Sunnex)