MALOLOS CITY (PIA) — Japanese investors are bullish on the Star Beltway Development laid down by the Provincial Government of Bulacan during the economic mission to the province, organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Japan (PCCIJ).
This is the provincial physical framework plan to make Bulacan as a financial powerhouse and first-world province of the Philippines by 2040.
Governor Daniel Fernando presented the components of the Bulacan Star Beltway Development namely the City Civic, Business and Knowledge, and Information Systems Technology Corridor, Airport Development Zone, East and West Economic Belt, Logistics and Industrial Corridor, Agriculture Development Corridor, Aquaculture Development Zone, and the Resource Sanctuary Corridor.
The governor has particularly offered to the Japanese firms to put their fresh investments in the Logistics and Industrial Corridor where the Bulacan Mega City project is partly located.
Provincial Planning and Development Office Officer-in-Charge Randy Po has explained that it needs an initial P5.01 billion for land development and road network construction for the 400-hectare project.
It covers the municipalities of Bocaue, Balagtas and Pandi beside the northbound lane of the North Luzon Expressway, where it can be a new site of investments for self-sustaining industrial, commercial, financial, and investment centers.
Fernando also offered to the Japanese the City Civic, Business and Knowledge, and Information Systems Technology Corridor.
This is the site where the 12-hectare Bulacan Cyberpark and Business District and the proposed Mixed-Used Development of 7.96-hectare former Provincial Engineering Office compound are located specifically in the city of Malolos and the municipality of Guiguinto, respectively.
PCCIJ Chairperson Allan Reyes said those sites have added to the growing interest of Japanese investors in Bulacan.
Among the initial results of this economic mission are investments in the areas of logistics, warehouses, and manufacturing.
Beyond trade and investments, Japanese firms are also opening job opportunities for information and communications technology professionals.
As mandated by the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement, Japanese employers shall provide free Nihongo language training to their prospective employees and pass it.
On the bigger investment scale, Department of Trade and Industry Regional Director Edna Dizon told the Japanese investors that investing in Bulacan, as well as in Central Luzon, is a very logical decision considering the availability of a highly-competent workforce and the existing interconnected infrastructure.
Among these infrastructures is the North-South Commuter Railway Project, which is being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Once partially operational by December 2027, it has vital access to the Logistics and Industrial Corridor; City Civic, Business and Knowledge, and Information Systems Technology Corridor; and Airport Development Zone. (CLJD/SFV, PIA Region 3-Bulacan)
