Monday, April 25, 2022
Isko to continue PRRD's 'Build, Build, Build' program
By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso will continue the massive infrastructure program of the Duterte administration, “Build, Build, Build.”
In a campaign sortie in Cebu on Monday, Domagoso said if he wins the presidency, his administration will address poverty, hunger, unemployment, inequality, and social injustice through an inclusive and equitable infrastructure development program as spelled out under his 10-point Bilis Kilos Economic Agenda.
To achieve this, Domagoso said he would continue the "Build, Build, Build" program, with a focus on building more public housing, schools, and hospitals across the country to create jobs.
To further alleviate the plight of the masses and protect industries, Domagoso said he would work closely with Congress to reduce the taxes on two of the most basic commodities – petroleum and electricity.
He also vowed to revive and support the MSME sector through various government interventions, as well as promote a culture of sustainable tourism by developing tourism highways and tourism circuits among others.
Domagoso and his party were warmly received by Carles town Mayor Siegfried Betita and Vice Mayor Arnold Betita at the municipal hall.
After the courtesy call, he and his slate proceeded to the town hall meeting attended by at least 5,000 residents where he spoke of his “Life and Livelihood” program.
Meanwhile, Domagoso failed to attend the “Grand Iskoncert-Rally'' in Carcar, Cebu on Sunday evening but his actor-son Joaquin Domagoso and Mocha Uson of the Mothers for Change (MoCha) party list were present at the event.
“There was no talent fee. Volunteerism lahat ang nag-perform (All performers all acted on volunteerism),” event organizer Winley de la Fuente said. (with reports from Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
BIZ BUZZ: SM’s growing Manila footprint
After bagging the right to redevelop the Harrison Plaza property in Manila, property giant SM Prime Holdings has continued to expand its footprint in the capital city with the acquisition of a smaller but strategically located property just beside the shopping mall complex.
We’re talking about the commercial strip right beside Harrison Plaza across the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and beside Century Park Hotel. Our industry sources said the acquisition happened sometime during this COVID-19 pandemic and a spokesperson from SM confirmed the transaction, without providing additional details.
This property is much smaller than the 75,000-square-meter lot area of Harrison Plaza itself—may be less than a third—but it can complement the latter’s entire redevelopment project, earlier estimated at P40 billion.
SM Prime plans to transform the Harrison Plaza area into a mixed-use development “comprising several residential towers and a world-class mall, similar to the Podium.”
The city government of Manila had brought in SM Prime—a long-time anchor tenant since the Harrison Plaza complex was inaugurated in 1976—as its new partner in the redevelopment of the complex.
SM Prime replaced the long-time concessionaire, the Martel family, as the city government seeks to unlock greater value from this prime area.