HERMOSA, Bataan — A modern commercial complex with three buildings will soon rise in 3,500 square meters of flat lands adjacent to the MacArthur Highway and Roman Superhighway in Barangay Culis here.
Mayor Antonio Joseph “Jopet” Inton and local investor/developer former Bataan Vice Gov. Ben Alonzo led the ground breaking Tuesday to signal the start of construction with target date of completion in one and a half years.
The architect and consultant to the project under the Alonzo family’s 925 Plaza Development Corp. is Fedore Yap.
The structure will have at the center a 5-floor edifice sandwiched by two 2-storey buildings.
Inton explained that connectivity is the root of progress, connectivity through roads, through the business sector and officials of government. “Noong una pa lang, nag-drawing na ako noong bago ako tumakbo dinrawing ko na kung ano ang magiging itsura ng bayan natin. Dati hindi pa masigla ang komersyo dito wala pa yung Jollibee at ibang fastfoods.”
Now not only Jollibee but McDonalds, Chowking and 7-Eleven are doing business in the area.
“So, ‘yun ang isang area of growth natin itong kasama ang Hermosa ecozone at palalakasin natin itong Culis – Palihan highway na ito isa yan. Ang isa pa ang upland area, magkakaroon tayo ng isa pang economic zone kaya number two engine of growth,” the mayor said.
“Nandiyan na din ang first part Hermosa, yong second engine of growth bale dito sa Hermosa Central, hinati natin Hermosa upland then Hermosa Central. So dito sa Hermosa Central may dalawang engine of growth, ito ngang lugar ninyo at yong first part Hermosa na ginagawa na din ngayon,” he continued.
“Siyempre hindi natin mabubuo ang plano ng Hermosa kung hindi natin maisasama ang upland, kaya sa tulong ng ating mga kaibigan, ginagawa na ngayon ang Hermosa Ecozone – Mabiga to Subic road para mai-connect na natin ang upland. Marami pang mangyayari sa upland na iyan dahil mayroon diyang dalawang Freeport Area of Bataan-approved location. Isa sa National Bookstore which is 300 hectares, and 1st Hermosa 100 hectares na third engine of growth ng bayan natin,” Inton said.
The mayor expressed pride that a family from Hermosa, the Alonzo clan, invests in the town. With the example shown by the Alonzos, the more those from the outside will not be afraid of investing in Hermosa, he said.
“Siyempre itong proyektong ito ay isa sa magagandang anchor investment dito sa ating bayan na siguradong maga-attract pa ng mas maraming investment,” Inton said.
Alonzo said they believed in the theme for progress of the Hermosa government of “Lipad Hermosa”.
“Naniniwala ako sa kagandahan ng Hermosa at tamang tama lang alam niyo ba kung bakit? Pagpasok niyo sa boundary sa historical province of Bataan, historical ang Bataan eh pagpasok niyo rito ang unang dadatnan niyo rito bayan ng Hermosa na by itself ibig sabihin ng Hermosa ay maganda, di ba? Nagkaroon ng SCTEX, saan ka lalabas eh di sa bayan pa rin ng Hermosa,” he noted.
“I was really impressed by the action of the mayor and I was gratified for it. Alam niyo, minsan isinama niya ko doon sa upland areas natin, ipinakita niya sakin kung ano ang economic development na nangyayari doon sa upper barangay natin at nakita ko kung ano ang sinasabi nating connectivity at naroroon ang connectivity na sinasabi na para doon sa patuloy na pag-unlad ng ating lalawigan, ng bayan ng Hermosa una sa lahat,” Alonzo said.
The former vice governor said he foresaw the entry of more local investors in Hermosa.
