BALANGA CITY - This city has registered an investment of P5.95 billion for year ending 2011, attained mostly under public-private partnership, compared to P4.78 billion in 2010, Mayor Jose Enrique Garcia III reported Friday.

Among the big investors are New San Jose Builders under Jerry Acuzar that built Galeria Victoria and anchor tenant Robinsons among some locators. These firms poured in more than P500 million in capitalization.

Robinsons attained “record-breaking” sales on its first day of opening last December 15, reportedly higher by 25% compared to other branches.

“Ang magandang karanasan ng Robinsons ay tiyak na mababalitaan ng ibang mga negosyante na hihikayat sa kanilang magtayo rin dito sa Balanga,” Garcia said.

Another new capitalist is Engr. Eusebio Aquino who is building the P50-million Plaza de San Jose. This commercial center that will give city coffers P108 million in lease payment for 25 years will link with Galeria Victoria through a hanging bridge.

Acuzar and Aquino are two successful businessmen from Balanga City.

These new business establishments are within the perimeter of the Plaza Mayor de Balanga that easily created more than 700 employment opportunities. The city mayor said the number is expected to more than double once these become fully operational.

Contributing to the growth in investments in the city are the renovations of the Center Plaza Mall, McDonalds, Wanam and other commercial centers, Garcia said.

Also sharing in the development of the city are the Balanga City Public Market and the Wetland and Nature Park.

The modern public market with renovation about to be completed has registered rental incomes of P15.5 million in 2010 and P18.2 million in 2011. The market used to incur P5 million in annual losses.

Vendors are given zero interest business loans and supply linkage with wholesalers in Metro Manila.

The Wetland and Nature Park in the fishing village of Tortugas has continued to draw tourists. It observed its “2nd Ibong Dayo” festival last December 7.

Two years ago Balanga was declared by the Department of Tourism as one of the bird-watching sites in the country.

Thousands of migratory birds escaping the cold winter months from their countries of origin come to Balanga and nearby areas first week of September and stay until last week of March.

The sangguniang panglungsod the other day approved a budget of P521 million for 2012 to deliver more basic services to its inhabitants in 25 barangays, Garcia said.