By Fayette C. Ri�en
CEBU CITY, Feb 20 (PIA) -- President
Benigno S. Aquino III led the big launch of the Mactan Newton in Lapulapu City
this morning as he lauded that such undertaking will help fuel the country’s
economic growth.
Aquino, together with Megaworld Chairman and CEO Andrew Tan, unveiled the
ceremonial marker inside the showroom.
In his speech before top Megaworld officials, Japanese investors, local
officials and other invited guests, the President said that the project is an
indicator that “we have made progress.”
Aquino also said the country is now dubbed as an “Asian Tiger Economy” as more
and more investors locate in the Philippines.
The Newtown Mactan project is also a visible sign of a growing economy that can
be felt by the people through the “Tens of thousands of jobs that can be
provided, directly and indirectly,” disclosed Aquino.
Mactan Newtown is a 16-hectare township development that will house luxury
condominiums, office towers, world-class lifestyle mall, a hotel, and a sports
and leisure facility.
Within the next five to seven years, Megaworld will be investing P20 billion
for the Mactan project.
In his speech, Aquino said the establishment of another hotel within the Mactan
Newtown township will help the government achieve its target of increased
domestic tourism of 56.1 million by 2016.
“Actually, we have already surpassed our 2016 target of 35.3 million; domestic
tourism has reached 37.5 million,” proudly claimed the President.
“With the increase in our domestic tourism target, we need an additional of
37,000 rooms,” as Aquino said the Mactan Newtown could help fill the gap.
Aquino assured Tan and the other investors that government will continue to
maintain a business environment that will attract investments such as theirs as
he praised the Filipino workforce as “talented and loyal.”
Aquino stayed for less than an hour in Mactan before flying to Capiz in Western
Visayas for another engagement. (PIA7)