Possible investment destination in the Visayas

Asia's rich country of Brunei eyed Iloilo City as possible investment destination in the Visayas.

Brunei Ambassador to the Philippines, Her Excellency Malai Hajah Halima Malai Yussof was impressed with the development strides of the city and expressed her interests in investing in the field of education and food security.

The lady Ambassador said that certain areas of cooperation maybe forged between Iloilo City and Brunei Darussalam. She said that Brunei students may opt to go to Iloilo City for their education.

Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said Iloilo City, considered as the educational center in the Visayas and Mindanao, has 10 universities and colleges that offer numerous degrees. It also hosts the John B. Lacson Maritime University, the only maritime education university in Southeast Asia.

"Besides, living and studying in Iloilo City is much cheaper by 50 percent as compared to the standards of living in Manila, Cebu and Davao cities," Mabilog said.

The lady Ambassador, together with Australian Ambassador Bill Twedell, graced the One Meal Foundation chairperson Teresita "Nene" Chan and came to witness the two-day Dinagyang Festival held on January 26 - 27.

Meanwhile, Mabilog announced the city administration's dream to regain the title "Queen City of the South" by starting to change the city's skyline.

Mabilog said they target to become a premier city by 2015 "or may be we could realized it earlier in 2014 as the city surges forward with numerous investments and business locators."

He said Iloilo City embarked on a strong business-friendly programs to attract more investments.

He announced the several ongoing projects in the city that included the P25 billion Megaworld Corp. business center at the more than 23 hectare-lot of the old Iloilo airport in Mandurriao district, the ongoing construction of a 21-storey building of Injap Corp. and the another multi-billion peso investments of Gaisano Corp.

"These investments were spurred by the ongoing local and national government development projects that include cleaning and rehabilitating the Iloilo River, street widening, bridge construction, housing, schools, health centers, new city hall and opening up of new areas for possible investment hub," he enthused.