Phividec potentials

Ben
Contreras

AN interview with Phividec Industrial Authority chief executive officer and chairman Franklin M. Quijano was very insightful for my sister Lydia. It gave her a very good impression of the guy she just met. I myself was impressed by the way he answered questions and expounded on certain matters, seemingly knowledgeable on his job.

The vastness of Phividec, more or less 3,000 hectares, can be a potent source of huge income if properly managed and with good marketing strategies. With plenty of room for development in Mindanao, making it rich in potential for commerce and industries, Phividec could play a major role in bringing in investments from the locals and foreign entities. And this is where Quijano has been pretty busy of based on our feedback.

The Hanjin fiasco should never be repeated again. Although it was primary the Asian crisis that compelled Hanjin to abort the project, the cancellation of certain orders as a sad consequence, politics was allegedly also a factor in its demise.

China is shifting its strategy in doing business. Plagued with pollution in her home front, China is contemplating to bring some of her industries out of the country to her Asean neighbors. China’s leadership’s warm relationship with our President makes Mindanao a potential huge recipient of a mega investment. This is where Phividec should be keen on.

After the interview, Lydia beamed with great optimism and hope to be able to be a part of the things to happen. After her four articles for a Chinese newspaper in Manila, the itch to become active in writing commentaries seems to grow in intensity. She might just get back as fast as she left for Canada.

The Mindanao Railway project is one thing she hopes China would be able to get. The last thing I knew, a special envoy of China’s Premier has been frequently seen going to Davao City.

Lydia hopes that our secessionist brothers and our brothers from the Left will not get in the way of all these prospects. We need peace in Mindanao to develop.

One thing that can be added to the good future of Phividec is the plan of Francisco Motors Corp. to put up a manufacturing plant for e-jeepneys inside the economic zone with an initial area of one hectare, expandable to 10 hectares.

I don’t want to preempt Mr. Elmer Francisco for the details. It is best that he gives the details himself. But the excitement alone is enough for us to watch for it.

The plants will not only generate employment but it will also compel suppliers of e-jeepney parts to put up their manufacturing plant here as part of the mutual beneficial agreements.

We are looking at 1,500 to 3,000 units per month of production. Of course, they are not just for local market but also foreign, one of which is our Asian neighbor.

To FMC, good luck on this endeavor.

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The initial Senate hearing on whether Secretary Bong Go had a hand in the frigate deal or not clearly showed that the hearing has been about what we all know but not that which we don’t know. Sen. Trillanes needs to tell the public what we do not know to make it exciting. Otherwise, he will be accused of mere grandstanding.

If the aim of Trillanes is to subject the integrity of Bong Go to question, he should do better than what he had shown so far. Anyway, it’s still the first day of the inquiry. The days ahead could be revealing or same of the old dirty politics.