MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos on Sunday led the ceremonial unveiling of a township marker inside Megaworld’s 34-hectare township development here, citing its potential to bring in more job opportunities and economic progress not just in Bacolod but also in nearby provinces and cities.

In his speech, the President hailed the development being done by major developer Megaworld in the province saying it is vital in pushing forward the initiatives of the administration for post-pandemic economic transformation.

“We are coming out of a difficult time in our economic history. But we see the light coming not from one place,” he said.

“We see the light coming from our own people, from our government, and of course our private sector partnerships, individual citizens, and all of those who have participated in the partnerships that we are slowly forging and to give everyone a part in this transformation of our economy,” Marcos pointed out.

The chief executive expressed confidence that the multi-million project of the Alliance Global Group Inc., led by its CEO Kevin Tan, would generate not just menial jobs but quality jobs that will uplift the lives of Bacolodnons.

“If we continue on this trajectory, I am very confident, malakas ang loob ko na makapagsabi na siguro sa ilang taon, hindi na tayo masyadong maghihintay makikita natin na dadami ang trabaho at ang pinag-uusapan dito ay hindi ‘yung basta-basta trabaho kung hindi ‘yung magagandang trabaho na may kasamang benefit, may kasamang mga safety net, na may kasamang mga lahat ng mga pangangailangan ng mga trabahador, which is something that is very, very important because it is quality jobs,” Marcos said.

“Jobs are important but quality jobs are even more important and that is what they will get here,” he added.

The President also lauded Tan for his “continuing faith” in the Philippines and encouraged more other businessmen to invest in the country.

“A clever businessman like Kevin will not invest this much if he does not have a confidence that this will succeed. And this can only succeed if the rest of the country is doing well,” Marcos said.

For his part, Tan, who is part of Marcos’ Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), said the development of the township and the other investments of his company to Bacolod are expected to generate more than 500,000 direct and indirect jobs in Negros Occidental.

Among Tan’s major projects now in the pipeline are the construction of the Megaworld Lifestyle Mall, as well as the first-ever Landers Superstore in Western Visayas. Tan said his group is initially planning to build around 500 hotel rooms in the next 5-10 years through the Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, noting that they envision Bacolod “to become a major city tourism destination in the Philippines.”

Megaworld likewise envisions hosting about 100,000 business process outsourcing (BPO) employees in The Upper East in the next several years as it plans to build more office developments inside the township.

At the moment, construction is ongoing for Megaworld’s first two office towers in Bacolod.

“I specifically remember us sitting down with the seven largest BPO companies in the world, most of whom are already our tenants in our office developments. The feedback that I got from them after our discussions was that they are now looking at the Philippines more favorably as a viable investment destination. Several investors have already reached out to us to discuss their plans about expanding in the Philippines, and Bacolod is very high on their list,” explained Tan, who joined the President in his recent visit to the United States.

Following the inauguration, the President visited the newly constructed McDonald’s in the township, which is now dubbed “the most beautiful McDonald’s store in the Philippines.”

Marcos then proceeded to the Paglaum Sports Complex for the culmination of the MassKara Festival. Also present during the event were Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Antonio Lagdameo, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., and Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez. (PND-OPS)