Central Visayas investments jump to P12B in first quarter

Investments in Central Visayas registered with the Board of Investment (BOI) Cebu extension office jumped a hundredfold to P12.23 billion in the first quarter this year compared to the P120 million registered in the same period last year.

South Western Cement Corp. contributed the bulk of the total investment at P12.14 billion, according to BOI records.

The proposed cement plant, which will be located in the southwestern Cebu town of Malabuyoc, is a fully integrated cement project that will have its own quarry.

Its commercial operation is expected to begin in 2011, with a production capacity of 1.6 million metric tons of cement per year or 39.16 million bags per year.

The other new projects that registered with the BOI-Cebu are Firm Builders Realty Development Corp. (FBRDC), with an investment of P41.5 million, Platinum Premium Seafood Products Inc. with P38.6 million and Fashion Accessories 4 U Corp. with P10.42 million.

The new businesses that came from fashion jewelry, processed fish products and cement are located in Cebu.

FBRDC, which is into mass housing projects, is in Oriental Negros.

The firms, which secured the BOI’s approval, will enjoy incentives, such as income tax holidays, tax and customs duty exemptions on capital equipment and spare parts and net operating loss carryover.

Meanwhile, the data also showed that the employment to be generated by the companies total 670.

The figure represents a 200 percent jump from the 219 jobs created in the first quarter of last year. (PNA)

Cebu sets 3-day grand sales blitz, June 15-17

Taking advantage of its image as the country's premiere tourist destination Cebu's business sector is coming up with a three-day sales blitz next month dubbed "Shop Cebu" that will be participated by key tourism players and sprucing up local businesses.

"Shop Cebu," an undertaking of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) aims to establish Cebu as the region's shopping and dining destination. The event is one of the highlights of the Cebu Business Month (CBM) celebrated every June and spearheaded by the CCCI.

The three-day event will be a grand sales blitz among Cebu retailers as the malls in Cebu City will hold a three-day grand sale from June 15 to 17 with a midnight sale on the 16th. Hotels, restaurants, resto-bars, spas and other establishments will also offer discounts during the period.

The CCCI's tourism committee in-charge of the "Shop Cebu" event urges people to 'shop till you drop' from simple wristbands to T-shirts to musical instruments. It will also be a shopping adventure for shopping enthusiasts as one chooses from among handicraft centers, world-class malls and department stores that sell quality souvenir items like fashion accessories and furniture, handicrafted guitars and shellcraft goods.

Working together with the CCCI for the "Shop Cebu" event are the Cebu City Government, Cebu Provincial Government, ABS-CBN, Cebu Pacific and Taiheiyo Cement Philippines.

The CBM's twin focus for this years's celebration is on information and communication technology and tourism development under the theme "Let's Go Cebu!." (PIA)

SMPHI waits for control over SRP

SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI) president Hans Sy has said the company is “willing to wait” on its plan to take full control over the 295-hectare (ha) South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City.

Sy said SMPHI, the company behind SM super malls, will not abort plans of long-term development strategies for SRP to signify its confidence over Cebu’s bullish economy.

”We can’t make any move yet because we are still awaiting a formal position. There’s no firm offer. It has not reached to the level if we are developers or what. There are many things to settle like the master plan, price, technical details, etcetera, but we are willing to wait,” Sy told reporters.

Sy was in Cebu Friday for the soft opening of the SM City Cebu Northwing, which is a five-level annex to its existing 13.8-ha property at the Cebu North Reclamation Area.

He said the company’s multi-billion-peso offer, which includes “taking over the full obligation of paying” for the balance of Cebu City Hall’s P6.3-billion loan with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, involves a mixed-use facility and an information technology (IT) park at the SRP.

”It will be another Mall of Asia type of development,” he said.

Capitalizing on the burgeoning growth of the IT sector, SMPHI initially offered a joint venture with the City Government to develop an IT Park within a government-owned lot, similar to that of the Cebu Provincial Government and the Cebu Property Ventures and Development Corp. (CPVDC).

CPVDC, a subsidiary of Ayala Land Holdings Inc., developed the Asiatown IT Park in Barangay Apas, Cebu City.

SMPHI earlier mulled plans to invest P2 billion for the construction of two more malls in the province. The company was eyeing the SRP as a feasible site for one of its malls.

He said the construction of the two malls, which are expected to cost P1 billion each including the land value, will begin once SMPHI finds the lot for the projects. The plan is included in the project to put up four more additional malls in the Visayas.

Other prospective sites are Mactan island and “a little bit farther than Banilad,” Sy said.

”We’re really serious and bullish about Cebu. In fact, it’s our priority area for Visayas and Mindanao projects,” he said.

According to Sy, the company is in the look out for mall expansions, as it foresees growth in the country’s retail sector.

More malls, he said, helps decongest mall traffic.

SMPHI inaugurated last time its MS Bacolod branch in Negros Occidental, bringing to four the total number of malls in the Visayas.

In addition, SMPHI and the Iloilo government are now finalizing the bidding to develop a 54-ha lot of the Iloilo airport for another mixed-use facility, which includes residential and IT park developments.

Meanwhile, the 10.9-ha annex in SM City Cebu, dubbed the Northwing, is estimated to cost between P200 million and P300 million and is expected to open next month.

It has 171 leasable spaces and has 148 tenants. It has parking spaces on three floors and the roof deck can accommodate about 1,946 vehicles.

The Northwing, which is designed for the upper class market, will house upscale shops, specialty shops, a comfort lounge, concierge, entertainment area and restaurants. (PNA)

DTI implements "no-breaks" at BN registration counter

Standing to plug the perceived gap in government service to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and as regards access to support, transportation and infrastructure and chain supply efficiency, the local Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is implementing a "no noon break" policy on its business name registration counter.

In a press statement, DTI-Bohol through information officer Lucille Autentico said while their office functions break at noontime, their business name counter still accepts business name registrations.

As this developed, applicants may now file their applications from 8:00AM to 5:00PM at the local DTI Office located at 2/F FCB Main Branch Bldg., C.P.G. North Ave., Cogon District, Tagbilaran City, she said.

According to the DTI, original applicants for single proprietorship needs P300 registration fee, must be adult Filipino citizens. If family name is suggestive of alien nationality, applicants need to submit proof of citizenship as PRC ID, birth certificate or voter's ID and latest franchise agreement for franchise holders, a preferred and three alternative business names.

For partnerships and corporations, applicant brings a P500 registration fee, SEC Registration certificate, two sets of corporation articles and By-Laws, a copy of the board resolution or secretary's certificate designating authorized representative to sign in behalf of corporation. They must also prepare one preferred and three alternative business names.

For renewals, applicants bring P300 fee for single proprietorship, P500 for corporations, partnerships and cooperatives while a surcharge of P100 is asked after 90 days from expiry of names. Applicants also need to surrender original BN certificate or Affidavit of Loss and the amended articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, if applicable.

This Bohol DTI initiative also came at the heels of a recent survey released by the United Parcel Service (UPS) Asia Business Monitor concerning 100 MSME respondents. In the survey, the respondents detail a perceived lack of government support on them, Presidential Management Staff Director General and Oversight Official for MSMEs Cerge Remonde said.

Remonde said that the government is currently concocting a new project to further ease the business transaction processes and bring about faster business registration of MSMEs.

He pointed out that the internet-based Philippine Business Registry System "harmonizes all business registration processes performed by different national government agencies and local government units, leading to a seamless transactional environment for business registration."

Even before the survey was conducted, Remonde explained that the government had already thrown its full support for the establishment and propagation of MSMEs and had even implemented a host of initiatives ranging from direct assistance to indirect interventions.

Remonde added that under the Small and Medium Enterprises Development (SMED) Council, the government provided P91.35 billion worth of loans to entrepreneurs from 2004 to 2006 through the SME Unified Lending Opportunities for National Growth (SULONG).

He said government assistance is mainly found in the Medium Term SME Development Plan in the forms of direct assistance as: credit access and guarantees, product development and technology intervention, training and marketing support, advocacy among others.

"Other forms of government assistance include marketing support in trade fairs, local and international, technology upgrades, product development and personnel training," Remonde said.

Over this, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had directed all government agencies and instrumentalities to simplify rules and regulations, reduce reportorial requirements, and eliminate fees and charges on export clearances, permits and other documentation requirements to cut red tape and to facilitate ease in doing business and encourage more investments in the country. (PIA)

Japanese group eyes Cebu hospital as retirement facility

A group running a retirement and nursing home in Japan is now eyeing the Cebu Doctors’ South General Hospital (South Gen) in the southern Cebu town of Naga as a potential retirement facility.

”They want a place where it’s near the hospital and the sea,” Dr. Potenciano Larrazabal Jr., Cebu Doctors’ Hospital Inc. (CDHI) president, said.

Larrazabal said CDHI and the Aiko group of Japan are negotiating to have the group's retirees relocate to the hospital’s 70-bed fourth floor.

”It will be a trial run. But the Japanese are decided. They may be here in a couple of months,” he said.

While waiting for the plans to materialize, the fourth floor will undergo renovation and additional amenities will be put up.

He said CDHI is already contemplating on hiring Niponggo teachers and a Japanese cook.

Larrazabal said once the deal is inked, the nursing staff will have an opportunity to learn the Japanese culture and to speak Niponggo.

While the initial plan was for the Aiko group to hire some of South Gen’s nurses, the CDHI official fears this may cause a “culture shock” for the nurses.

Bringing Japanese retirees here will be a “win-win” situation to both parties.

Larrazabal said the partnership with the Aiko group is a step closer to CDHI’s realization of establishing a retirement village in southern Cebu.

”With the growing aging population, I can see that the Philippines, particularly Cebu, has bright prospects to cater to these retirees who are in need of good healthcare facilities and services,” he said earlier.

He said CDHI may utilize a portion of the one-hectare lot in Naga, where the 250-bed Cebu Doctors’ South General Hospital sits, for the retirement village or acquire other properties nearby.

There are also plans to construct a “mini mall” within the vicinity of the retirement village.

Larrazabal is optimistic that, in the near future, the healthcare sector will be among the province’s booming industries, along with property development and information and communications technology.

While some hospitals in Manila make good retirement facilities, he said Cebu has a stronger probability to attract the medical tourism market because of the province’s peace and order situation, better airport facilities, good telecommunications and the Cebuanos’ proficiency in the English language.

In the past years, CDHI has invested in building and improving its network of hospitals in the province, including Cebu Doctors’ Hospital, North General Hospital in Talamban, Cebu City and South Gen.

”We have committed our resources in building facilities that enhance the country’s medical industry,” Larrazabal said. (PNA)

RDC private sector reps 1st national convention in Cebu

Private sector representatives to the Regional Development Councils in the country will hold their 1st national convention on April 26-27 at the Parklane Hotel, Cebu City with the theme, “20 Years of Regional Development, Partnership and Volunteerism.”

Valeriano Avila, chairman RDC-7 DevAd committee said he hopes that the convention will make the public realize the importance of private sector representatives’(PSR) participation in governance which is essential to the regional growth and development. Avila has been a PSR for almost 20 years now.

This is the first time that RDC private sector representatives meet to discuss various issues and concerns on how they can strengthen their partnership with the regional development councils in the country. The convention serves as a kick off activity for the up-coming celebration of the 20th year of PSR participation in the RDCs.

“The PSRs in Central Visayas have been active and effective in advocating private sector concerns through the RDC and its sectoral committees. I hope this convention will provide a venue for me to network with PSRs from other regions in order for us to consolidate advocacies that have national implications,” said Argeo Melisimo, chairman of the economic development committee, RDC-7.

Melisimo expects that the convention will provide the PSRs the avenue to exchange ideas and learn from their best practices. RDC-7 co-chair, Robert Go echoes Melisimo’s expectations and wants to know the best practices of other RDC-PSRs.

Emmanuel Rabacal, chair of the RDC-7 Infrastructure Development Committee and who has been a PSR for 12 years will present the successful initiatives of the Central Visayas RDC in strengthening PSR participation.

The convention is being funded by the German government through the GTZ-Decentralization Program, with the National Economic and Development Authority as co-convenor. At the end of the 2-day activity, the RDC-PSRs expect to unite to a common stand on interregional and national development through a written declaration or covenant that will be presented to higher authorities.

As can be recalled, the People Power Revolution of 1986 ushered in a policy agenda for people-powered development. For the first time, non-government organizations (NGOs) or the civil society were recognized as active participants in development planning, investment programming, budget review, and project monitoring.

In November 1987, the RDCs were reorganized and its membership expanded to include representatives of the private sector and NGOs. (PIA).

PRA eyes Iloilo as satellite area for Cebu as retirement destination

The Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) has identified Iloilo as a satellite area for Cebu as retirement destination, a move that generated a strong endorsement from the Iloilo City government through Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.

PRA Chairman, Ret. Gen. Edgardo B. Aglipay, who met with the business sector and officials of the city government, Thursday said they have already identified various sites in the country that can be developed as retirement centers.

These are Baguio, Subic and Clark in Pampanga, Metro Manila, Tagaytay, Cebu and Davao.

The cities of Iloilo and Bacolod will serve as satellite areas for Cebu.

With this, Aglipay cited the need for Iloilo and Bacolod to have international flights and a tertiary hospital for these cities become at par with retirement destinations.

Nonetheless, he believes that Iloilo City has a great potential to become a good destination for the retirees.

He cited the good climate of the city, the friendly people, the more than five domestic flights a day and the good peace and order situation.

Mayor Treñas, on the other hand, expressed optimism over the project, adding that he has long been waiting for Aglipay to introduce the project to the business sector in the city.

"We have seen that there is a market in the retirees and this will benefit not only our businessmen but the multiplier effect of this investment is tremendous. It will create more jobs, more support services and this will definitely help in making Iloilo City the next big thing," he noted.

Treñas said these efforts are in line with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's thrust of making the Philippines a retirement haven for foreigners.

He disclosed his series of meetings with the interested developers of the old airport site in Mandurriao district whom he requested to provide a theme park, a convention center, a Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)-accredited information technology park and a hospital that could cater to the demands of medical tourism.

Treñas was optimistic these facilities would lure foreign retirees to consider the city as a retirement destination. (PNA)