Iloilo assured of P100-M fund for road-widening project

ILOILO CITY, July 7 (PNA) – The city government here is already assured of P100 million fund for its road-widening project from Tabuc Suba to Buntatala in Jaro district.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog on Thursday received a faxed copy of the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) worth P100 million.

Mabilog said that the P100 million is part of the P200 million committed by Senator Franklin Drilon for the project.

Meantime, Iloilo City Lone District Rep. Jerry P. Treñas will put in P50 million from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for the project.

The city government will try to find other fund sources for its completion, which includes the expansion of the Montinola Bridge.

“This is good news for the people of the district of Jaro and neighboring municipalities,” he said.

The mayor also said that the project would be implemented immediately as soon as the fund arrives, probably in two to three months.

The project is expected to ease the traffic along the area, especially during peak hours. (PNA)

RMA/PGLena/vlo

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Realty sector to enjoy continued growth

THE PHILIPPINE real estate market is set to enjoy a “sustained upward cycle” as demand for office space combined with interest in retail, tourism and residential projects will continue to drive the sector forward, property consultancy firm CBRE Philippines, Inc. yesterday said.

A BUILDING rises in the Ortigas central business district in this photo taken on June 16. The local property sector is expected to enjoy continued growth, a consultancy said. -- JONATHAN L. CELLONA

“From a macroeconomic cycle, this is not a bubble. This is the start of a sustained upward cycle. There is a lot of demand,” CBRE Chairman Rick M. Santos said at a briefing.

Demand for office space, for instance, is expected to remain robust as business process outsourcing (BPO) firms are poised to expand, he said.

“We believe the Philippine office sector has some of the best fundamentals of all the Southeast Asian markets,” he said.

“The Philippines has some of the lowest rental rates, highest yields and greatest demand for office space in Asia,” he added.

BPO companies are continuously expanding in and outside existing hubs and central business districts like Makati, Ortigas, Fort Bonifacio in Taguig, Quezon City, Alabang and Mandaluyong, according to the consultancy.

Outsourcing firms are also tapping Cebu Asiatown IT Park, the Plazuela de Iloilo in Iloilo and Abreeza development in Davao.

“I really think the good years are ahead of us. The government looks stable, so many new players are coming in for the BPO and there is the knowledge process outsourcing companies,” Jose Luis F. Matti III, executive director of CBRE Philippines, said.

The local BPO industry employed 525,182 workers as of end-2010, with a projected additional 500,000 jobs to be created over the next five years that will demand three million square meters of office space, CBRE data show.

“They realize how good the Philippines is in terms of location and we have a very skilled work force,” Mr. Matti added.

Furthermore, increasing overseas Filipino remittances are fueling the growth in the retail and residential development, the consultancy said.

“The housing, retail and leisure segments benefit from the continued rise in remittances,” CBRE said.

In the first four months of the year, remittances rose by 5.98% to $6.2 billion and is projected to grow by 7% this year to $$20.1 billion, government data show.

For tourism, visitor arrivals grew by 13.3% in the first trimester to 1.3 million, government data show.

“The continuous growth in the tourism industry has encouraged direct investments in hotels and resort residents. Retail sector also benefits from the increased number of tourist arrivals,” it said.

CBRE Philippines started operations in 1998, offering valuation and advisory services, global corporate services, asset services and residential services.

Parent firm CB Richard Ellis is a Los Angeles-based property services firm with a $5.1-billion turnover last year through 31,000 employees in more than 438 offices worldwide. -- Neil Jerome C. Morales

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Iloilo mayors among semi-finalists in search for outstanding public servants

by Lilibeth A. French

ILOILO CITY, July 5 (PIA) -- Two local chief executives in Iloilo province were included among the 52 individual and 8 group semi-finalists in the Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees this year, according to the Civil Service Commission recently.

Mayor Ma. Teresa Debuque of the Municipality of Anilao was named semi-finalist for the Lingkod Bayan Award, and Mayor Christine Garin of Guimbal town for the Pagasa Award.

Vice Mayor Jose Neil Olivares of the Municipality of Oton is also a semi-finalists for the Pagasa Award. On the other hand, Jelyn Duting of Panay Power Corporation, Iloilo City was named semi-finalists in the Dangal ng Bayan.

The Lingkod ng Bayan, Pagasa, and Dangal ng Bayan are part of the Honor Awards program of the Civil Service Commission conducted annually to recognize government officials and employees who have displayed outstanding work performance.

In line with this, the Civil Service Commission is urging the public to provide valuable information on any of the semi-finalists in the different awards. The feedback gathered will be used by the Search Committees in re-evaluating the semi-finalists’ nominations to determine this year’s winners in the three categories.

CSC Chair Francisco Duque III through a CSC press report advised the public to be judicious in providing information on the semi-finalists.

“Feedbacks gathered from the public will be taken seriously and they can make or break a nominee’s chances of getting an award. Moreover, keep in mind that whoever will be chosen as this year’s awardees will serve as models of exceptional public service within the bureaucracy,” said Duque.

The complete list of the semi-finalists can be accessed at the CSC website at www.csc.gov.ph. or at the posters displayed in CSC regional and field offices nationwide.

The Search committees will welcome feedback on the semi-finalists on or before July 22 through telephone numbers 931-7993, 932-0381, 932-0111 or 932-0179 or text CSC 0917-8398272 or e-mail at hap@webmail.csc.gov.ph or hapsecretariat@yahoo.com.

CSC assures the public that all information received will be kept in strict confidence. (JCM/LAF/PIA-Iloilo)

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P50B deposits to spur MSME development in Iloilo

ILOILO CITY, July 5 (PNA) -– About P50 billion are deposited in more than 50 commercial and thrift banks in the city and province of Iloilo that could be harnessed for business investments and make an economically strong Iloilo.

This was disclosed by Felicito Tiu, chairman of the Iloilo City Trade Investment and Promotions Board, in keynoting the opening of Iloilo SME Fair 2011 at SM City here on Monday afternoon.

Tiu, recently appointed by Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick as investment board chairman, said Ilonggos are mostly conservative and save their money in the banks. But this money could be used to fund micro, small and medium enterprises to set the countryside rolling for business.

Tiu also said MSMEs are considered as the backbone of the national economy. Ilonggos are currently supported by the national government through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) which conduct workshops and trainings for entrepreneurship.

The DTI regional office here was recently awarded an ISO certificate of excellence in meeting its challenges on public service.

Tiu said MSMEs engaged in food business continue to mushroom in the city and province.

On Monday, a total of 31 exhibitors showcased their newest product designs for this year particularly by the producers of gifts, decors and housewares who enrolled in the product development activity of DTI. (PNA)

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The Jalaur Economic Corridor

THE proposed P15 billion Jalaur Multi-Purpose Project II (JMPP II), which aims to interconnect the Jalaur, Magapa-Suage, Tigum-Aganan, and Sibalom-Baguingin river systems, will surely redefine the central Iloilo bioregion. This project involves the construction of a hydropower plant and an irrigation system traversing six municipalities which starts at the headwaters of the Jaluar River in Lambunao town in north-central Iloilo and ends in Tigbauan town in the south.

While the cost of the project appears to be prohibitive for the national government, Iloilo Rep. Arthur Defensor Jr. moved to address this challenge by filing House Bill No. 4884 which seeks to create the Jalaur Economic Corridor, thus establishing a domestic industrial zone comprised by the towns of Badiangan, Bingawan, Cabatuan, Calinog, Janiuay, Lambunao, Maasin, Mina and Pototan, and which will be managed by the Jalaur Economic Corridor Authority (JECA).

The frontline strategy for the Jalaur Economic Corridor will be the implementation of the JMPP II, the establishment of a food security hub and the promotion of eco-tourism in the economic zone. JECA will be chaired by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Director General while its members include the secretaries of agriculture, tourism, and trade and industry, the governor of Iloilo, the mayors of the towns in the third district and a representative from the private sector, otherwise known as the JMPP II Cluster.

It is also intended to boost agricultural productivity in Iloilo by irrigating 34,340 hectares of ricelands, address the power shortage in Panay Island through the construction of a 11.5-megawatt hydropower plant, and end the water crisis in Iloilo City by the establishment of a diversion canal that will bring water from the Jalaur and the Magapa-Suage rivers to the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) reservoir in Cabatuan.

JMPP II is the sequel of the Jalaur Multi-Purpose Project which was created under Republic Act No. 2651 that was signed into law on June 18, 1960 by then President Carlos P. Garcia. It aims to fully develop and harness the resources of the Jalaur River, and make it a foundation and focal point of development. The river system has an estimated drainage area of 1,503 square kilometers and travels 123 kilometers from its source in Calinog to its mouth in Dumangas.

“The JMPP II shall be a priority project that shall be funded under the Public-Private Partnership program of the government, or such other similar programs or project financing schemes.

Immediately upon the approval of the plans for implementation and administration of the JMPP II, (JECA) shall secure the provision of funds, as may be necessary in the immediately succeeding General Appropriations Act,” says the bill.

JMPP II involves the construction of a 106-meter dam across the Jalaur River in central Panay to store water for year-round irrigation, the construction of a 46-meter after bay dam in the area, and another 46-meter dam at the Ulian River. Three catchment dams will be placed in different tributaries of the Jalaur River system, while the main canal will pass through the central Iloilo towns of Calinog, Lambunao, Janiuay and Cabatuan. It will also intersect irrigation facilities in the towns of Oton and Tigbauan in southern Iloilo.

It also involves the construction of new irrigation and drainage facilities to cover an additional 12,000 hectares on top of the existing 22,314 hectares already served by the existing irrigation system, which will also be improved and modernized. National Irrigation Authority (NIA) reports show that Jalaur River has a maximum water reserve of 340 million cubic meters which can supply NIA’s existing irrigation systems in Iloilo. The project will also have flood mitigation benefits and is expected to promote eco-tourism in selected areas where the dams and the reservoirs are located.

The proposed law also mandates the formulation of an investment priorities plan (IPP) for the Jalaur Economic Corridor, which shall provide fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for establishments and enterprises that will open in the industrial zone. There will also be income tax-based incentives as well as value-added tax and customs duties exemptions on capital equipment.

Once enacted into law, this will be a landmark legislation by and a major legacy of the young Defensor, and a manifestation of his recognition of the fact that a river system can be a friend or a foe; because if we neglect the river system, then it can become a monster claiming lives and properties when it takes its revenge. But if we tap its full potential by protecting it and planning for its sustainability, then it can provide water for our farms, homes and industries, give us livelihood and employment and save our very lives.

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Iloilo pilots modern medical records system

A MODERN electronic medical records and inter-facility health system developed by Smart Communications will be launched on July 9 at the Westown Hotel.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona, together with city and provincial officials, as well as executives of Smart Communication, will grace the launching of Project Shine or the Secured Health Information Network and Exchange.

Project Shine will ensure the fast and reliable information from the barangays to the health facility. It was developed by Smart Communications in consultation with the Department of Health (DOH).

The project will cover three DOH charter hospitals, 12 provincial government-owned hospitals, 10 Iloilo City health centers and 13 rural health units.

The system can be accessed by all of its stakeholders -- patients, doctors and other health care professionals, medical resources like pharmacies and diagnostic laboratories, hospitals and health institutions like the DOH and local government units via the Web.

With Shine, health workers can also access the system via GPRS- or 3G-enabled mobile phones that can run Java applications and/or computers connected to the Internet to register patients, record consultations and services rendered or commodities provided and generally access electronic records of individual patients.

Since Shine addresses time consuming and repetitive documentation at the point of care, patients are also expected to benefit in terms of convenience, cost savings, and ultimately improved health. 

source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph

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Iloilo City’s tallest bldg breaks ground

By: Tara Yap

“IF there is no Injap Sia, there is a need to invent him.”

This was how Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog described the significance of Mang Inasal founder Edgar Sia II to the city during the groundbreaking ceremony of the 21-storey Injap Tower in Mandurriao district Thursday.

According to Mabilog, the soaring structure is another contribution of the 34-year-old Sia that will further boost the economic confidence of Iloilo City.

“This will serve as a new landmark that signifies the rapid growth of the city,” Mabilog said.

Mabilog foresees that the structure will address concerns of investment locators, particularly in the field of business process outsourcing (BPO), that the city does not have business infrastructures with the exception of shopping malls.

“This will surely attract investors,” Mabilog added.

The 21-storey structure of Injap Land Corporation is poised to become the city’s tallest building. It will feature 202 condo units with furniture and appliances. It will have three floors open for commercial establishments while the 21st floor is a fine-dining restaurant that offers a magnificent view of the city.

Mabilog also emphasized the P25-million donation of Sia to construct the City Community College in Molo district, which will give underprivileged Ilonggos a chance to obtain a college education. It is set to be turned over to the city government by November of this year.

Mabilog said that Sia should serve as an inspiration to the younger generation of Ilonggos, especially entrepreneurs who can contribute in the socio-economic growth of the city.

While a native of Roxas City, “Injap”, as he is fondly called, started his famed chicken barbecue chain business in Iloilo City in 2003. Last October 2010, fast food giant Jollibee purchased 70% of Mang Inasal for $68 million.

Sia was recently named by the prestigious Forbes Magazine as the youngest Filipino billionaire in the list of the Philippines’ 40 richest people. Sia has a net worth of $85 million.

Source: The Newstoday

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Panay Railways revival depends on PNoy - guv

By JOEL E.CAPUNDAN

ROXAS CITY – The final decision on whether or not to revive the Panay railways project rests on President Benigno Aquino III, said Governor Victor Tanco Sr.

He said it is now up to Aquino if he will push through or not the revival despite the recent statement of newly-appointed Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas that the move is impractical.

Roxas expressed disfavor to the project and instead pushed for the widening of the national highways that will link the provinces of Capiz and Iloilo.

Roxas said the project is not beneficial because both have the same products, thus, the railways will not be beneficial when it comes to trade.

Earlier, the Regional Development Council 6, chaired by Tanco, approved the proposal to revive the railways system, following endorsement and support of Capiz and Iloilo local officials.

Tanco said he already forwarded the proposal to Aquino for final approval and implementation.

Meanwhile, the revival of Panay railways will cost $600 million or roughly P37.8 billion and will link Iloilo City to Caticlan in Malay, Aklan, the gateway to Boracay Island.

The operations of Panay Railways stopped in 1985 at the height of the collapse of the sugar industry.*


source: iloilo news today

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Megaworld Lifestyle Malls

Premier real estate developer Megaworld expands its properties with commercial developments recognized as the country’s most admired lifestyle malls.

These signature developments are now all part of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, a collective brand of commercial entities that encompasses urban living all created and developed by Megaworld Corporation. Carrying Megaworld name in the label gives the guarantee of quality and class unique only to these developments.

The Megaworld Lifestyle Malls are Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill and Forbes Town Center in Fort Bonifacio, Newport Mall in Resorts World Manila, The Clubhouse at Corinthian Hills, Paseo Center in Makati, and the three malls in Eastwood City in Quezon City namely Eastwood Cyber and Fashion Mall, Eastwood Citywalk, and Eastwood Mall.

Each of the Malls is varied in realization of the “play” component in the live-work-play concept pioneered and popularized by Megaworld.

Two of these are located in Quezon City. Eastwood City along C-5, is the 24/7 community surrounded by residential high-rise building and a cyberpark. This place is popular for adapting well to the lifestyle of its residents and resident professionals. It has 3 different malls in one bustling community namely Eastwood Cyber and Fashion Mall for techie and trendy budget finds, Eastwood Citywalk for hip shops and hot parties, and Eastwood Mall for stylish shopping and chef-driven dinning. The Clubhouse at Temple Drive in Corinthian Hills is the laid-back community center that is adjacent to a high-end village and a temple, which includes Santi’s Deli, Rustan’s and Indigo Salon, among others.

South of the Metro, Venice Piazza in McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio offers a world-class dining experience that’s Italian-inspired. It is a restaurant hub that will soon be a full scale mall, complete with retail shops, cinemas and its own Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge. Forbes Town Center, also in Fort Bonifacio, is the family-oriented neighborhood that’s reminiscent of suburban towns. Tucked away in a residential and business community, it’s a strip lined with unique concept stores and high-end hole in the wall restaurants. Paseo Center offers varied mix of fast foods, restaurants and service shops for suit-clad men and business women. Newport Mall in Resorts World Manila, across NAIA Terminal 3, is Manila’s destination for luxury shopping and the socialites’ party scene.

International fast food favorite McDonald’s can be found in a majority of these Megaworld Lifestyle Malls. Eastwood is, in fact, the first to have the 24/7 McDonald’s in the Country. Evidently, the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls are reinventing the entertainment and lifestyle industry in the country.

Expect more top caliber developments under Megaworld Lifestyle Malls in the near future. Among them are Lucky Chinatown Mall in Binondo which is set to open in the last quarter of 2011 and one in Iloilo which will open in 2012.

The country’s most admired lifestyle malls, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, are evidently bringing positive economic change into the country with the property expansion of premier real estate developer Megaworld. 

source: Philippine Daily Inquirer

Thursday, June 30, 2011

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Tailor claims P18-million lotto prize

By MITCH ARCEO
June 29, 2011, 4:28pm

MANILA, Philippines — A tailor from Iloilo City on Tuesday claimed from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) the P18,860, 232.60 he won in the June 23 6/42 lotto draw, PCSO General Manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas II said.

It was learned from the lone winner of the lotto jackpot is a 29-year-old father of two. He has been betting in the lotto for the past one year.

The PCSO does not identify lotto winners.

Last June 23, he bet P10 the combination 04-30-07-13-42-29. The man bought his ticket at a lotto outlet in GC Lumber, Real Estranzuela Street, Iloilo City.

According to the winner, he based the combination on the birthdays and ages of his family members.

As a new millionaire, the lotto winner plans to put up his own business and get an educational plan for his children.

Two bettors will share the P6,746,607 for the June 27 MegaLotto 6/45 draw. They are the latest winners under the said category, making them the 31st and 32nd MegaLotto 6/45 millionaires. The two winners have yet to claim their winnings.

source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/324720/tailor-claims-p18million-lotto-prize

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Iloilo strengthens local business competitiveness

MORE than 100 entrepreneurs from micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Iloilo province are gathered in Iloilo City from June 28 to 29 for an action planning workshop.

Trade department regional director Dominic Abad said local entrepreneurs and representatives from different sectors, government agencies, academe and civil society are attending the workshop to define ways of strengthening MSMEs as backbone of the national economy.

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Iloilo provincial Small and Medium Enterprises Development Council president Valerie Maravilla said Iloilo is strong in public-private partnership (PPP) and participants are updated on the growth areas of the council from its operation last year.

In 2009, the National Statistics Office listed 777,357 SME establishments with 710,822 engaged in micro enterprise, 65,529 engaged in small enterprises, 3,006 in medium and 3,080 in large.

Included in the micro range are enterprises with P3 million and less capitalization, P3 million to P15 million for small enterprise, P15 million to P100 million for medium and over P100 million for large enterprises not including land property.

Abad said the formulated business action plan will cover the years 2011 to 2016 with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft for Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH assisting the participants in the program.

The MSMEs have grown their contribution to the national economy from 32 percent last year to 35.7 percent this year by generating 6.5 million direct and indirect jobs with P20.12 billion in domestic sales of products, goods and services and $18 billion in export sales, Abad said.

Earlier, DTI has conducted similar forum in other Western Visayas provinces with Iloilo as the last leg of the action planning workshop.

Western Visayas contributed P120 million in exports from the ports of Iloilo in Iloilo City and Pulupandan in Negros Occidental with coal, sugar and copper.

The priority sectors in Western Visayas are agri-aqua, tourism, processed food-flour based, furnitures and furnishings and IT-business process outsourcing. These sectors generate employment, utilize locally produced materials and indigenous resources, provide backward and forward linkages, present potential investment and business opportunities and align with provincial and national priority sectors. (Lydia C. Pendon)

source: 

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/iloilo/local-news/2011/06/28/iloilo-strengthens-local-business-competitiveness-163726

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Entrepreneur says Iloilo MSMEs flourishing with public-private partnership

LOILO CITY, June 29 (PNA) - The city and province of Iloilo have emerged as one growth area in the country where public and private partnership (PPP) is a major factor in the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as the backbone of the local economy, according to entrepreneur Valerie Maravilla.

Maravilla, who is president of the Iloilo Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (SMEDC), said the idea of PPP was inspired by President Benigno C. Aquino III to spur economic growth outside of Metro Manila through the private sector cooperation with government.

The council has more than 200 entrepreneur members in the city and province engaged mostly in agri-aqua, tourism, processed food, furniture, housewares and furnishings and IT-business process outsourcing.

The Iloilo Business Club (IBC) said the market-driven sector generates employment in the countryside, utilizes locally produced materials and indigenous resources, provides backward and forward linkages to local entrepreneurs, and presents potential investment and business opportunities.

Maravilla said local consumption and export products are realized with the leadership of private partners.

Maravilla said that Iloilo, as the port home base in Western Visayas, contributed largely to the national exports with its traditional products of coal, sugar, copper, processed fruits, flour-based products and other newly developed products.

source: http://www.pna.gov.ph

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Jalaur River Project

MANILA, Philippines — The government is negotiating with two Korean firms a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreement for the $338-million Jalaur River Multi-purpose Project (JRMP) which will open 12,000 hectares of new irrigated area in Iloilo.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) already filed last March with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) its BOT project plan for the JRMP.

“This is being pushed by the national government. Currently we’re looking at two Korean firms for a possible BOT. It’s in the works yet. The Korean firms have yet to come here for a possible agreement, but I cannot yet divulge those that are interested until it’s already there,” said Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat in an interview.

The JRMP will be a supplement to the existing five irrigation systems that currently cover 22,340 hectares, bringing total irrigated area to 34,340 hectares.

At the same time, it will generate 11.5 megawatt of hydro-electric power. It will also supply domestic water for the locality which is soon projected to suffer from water shortage.

“The envisions the construction of 106-meter Jalaur hardfill dam and 46-meter Ulian hardfill dam and three catch dams including highline canal that would connect these dams to the existing irrigation systems,” according to a JRMP primer. The multi-purpose project, a program under the national government’s Public Private Partnership (PPP), will be implemented by the National Irrigation Administration over 12 years from 2012 to 2020.

DA is updating a feasibility study (FS) for the project which was earlier completed in May 2010.

Puyat said the completion of the FS will be significant in the financing of the project even as other types of financing may be obtained for the project.


source: PNA

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REPOST: Oton Church on Review

It would have been one of the country’s spectacular churches, if not the most beautiful were it not for a natural cataclysm that razed it to the ground. Oton’s once majestic church, in the form of a Greek cross, was unique as it was the only one with such a plan and architecture blending Byzantine with Gothic and classical elements.

The town of Oton was established by the Augustinians in 1572 after Cebu and Manila and was the center of their administration in Iloilo. In fact, the former name of the province is a namesake of the town. It’s name is the hispanized version of ogtong, meaning reef or tidal flat which is a main feature of the area and was then the encomienda of Don Miguel de Loarca.

The history of church building is a bit hazy but its first prior, Fray Martin de Rada was said to have built a church of good quality which was eventually destroyed during a Dutch attack in 1614. It was only in the 19th century that we get to know of a church being constructed during the curacy of Fray Demetrio Cobos who was parish priest from 1844-1854 that the first stones were laid.

Fray Diego de Hoz continued the project when Fray Cobos died in 1854. Fray Joaquin Fernandez, named in charge of construction in 1883 finished the edifice. The grand church was consecrated and blessed in 1892 by Fray Nicolas Gallo.

The edifice was spared during World War II but an earthquake on 5 January, 1948 destroyed it. It has never been rebuilt and only two bells, dated 1817 and 1887, and a portion of the wall, now built with a grotto, remain of the structure.

source: http://simbahan.net

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ECSI unveils state-of-the-art Everest Cold Storage

EVEREST Cold Storage Inc. (ECSI) recently unveiled to the public its state-of-the-art cold storage, the biggest in the region.

ECSI’s cold storage is the first ever commercial walk-in cold storage in Western Visayas.

Its inaugural day kicked off with the formal ribbon-cutting rites led by the owners, popular couple Elias “Toto” and Susan Reyes and stellar guests such as Cong. Jerry Treñas, Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, Vice Mayor Joe Espinosa III and Councilors Lex Tupas and Lyndon Acap. Thereafter, the blessing rites of the whole edifice followed with Fr. Rhodel Nacional, C.M.

Adding pomp to the festivity was a short ceremony where the vibrant Toto and Susan along with their brilliant children - E & S Food Products Plant supervisor Hazel Mae Reyes, E & S Food Product supervisor Ely Mark Reyes and corporate secretaries Kent Louie and Jun Louie Reyes.

Seen on scene was Everest Cold Storage’s General Manager Reggie Bautista warmly welcoming guests who were all feted with sumptuous luncheon complete with musical and dance entertainment, dahlings!

Everest Cold Storage is nestled at the sprawling 2,300-square meter floor area at Zone 7, Barangay Sambag, Diversion Road, Jaro, Iloilo City. Built with an extensive customer base in the frozen food industry in Region 6, it can accommodate 1,200 kilos anytime.

It offers state-of-the-art freezing services with its seven walk-in freezer rooms with 1,200 pallet capacity drive-in racking, blasting 1,200 klg to 5,000 klg simultaneous operations, container van plug-in, container loading and unloading, third party logistics, office space rental, temperature controlled transportations services, dry warehousing and management inventory system.

source: Daily Guardian

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