CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Former President and now Second District Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Philippine Board of Investments Governor Oliver B. Butalid are optimistic that the Pampanga Growth Triangle with cultural sense, planned by urban planner Architect Felino Palafox Jr will attract more foreign, local investors and tourists in the years to come.
This was gleaned in a visioning workshop intended for the Cities of San Fernando and Mabalacat, and the towns of Guagua, Porac, Floridablanca, Lubao, Bacolor and Santa Rita.
The results of the said workshop will be sent as inputs to the Pampanga megapolis, an urban plan to be presented by Palafox.
It was highlighted during the workshop that the municipalities and cities are seen to welcome investment boost as most of the lands there are still available.
It was also tackled on the workshop that cultural sense can greatly help the tourism which, in return, can attract more visitors and investors in Pampanga.
“We see tourism as the low-lying fruit in a tree which can easily attract tourists and investors,” Butalid said.
Some of the visions formulated are as follows: for Bacolor – “the showcase of Capampangan culture, arts, history, and education with a pioneering agro-industrial investment by 2020”; for Santa Rita – “the model of inclusive tourism of Pampanga by 2020”; for Guagua – “a diversified woodworks industry center of Luzon by 2020”; for Mabalacat City – “the leisure center of Pampanga by 2020”; for Lubao – “the most attractive economic zone in Pampanga by 2020”; for Floridablanca – “the next agri-industrial and ecotourism center of Pampanga by 2020”; for Porac – “the ‘Nuvali’ of Central Luzon by 2020”; and for the City of San Fernando – “the model of urban development technologies in Central Luzon by 2022.”
Congresswoman Arroyo is happy with the turnout of the visioning workshop attended by mayors and planning officers of the participating towns and cities.
PHILIP OCAMPO
