ABOITIZ TALK ON INDUSTRIALIZATION AND INVESTMENTS

Aboitiz on Industrialization, Investments, and Best Practices

By Marcelle P. Villegas

The Philippine Infrastructure and Construction Club hosted its first face-to-face luncheon of the year last 24 June 2022 at Seda Hotel BGC, with executives from Aboitiz InfraCapital and Aboitiz Construction, Inc. as their main speakers.

Mr. Jolan Formalejo, Vice President for Inventory Generation Group of Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC), and Mr. Antonio Peñalver, Executive Director of Aboitiz Construction, Inc. graced the event with their presentations and talks on their company’s achievements, ongoing and upcoming infrastructure projects, and best practices in the industry.

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Index

ANMSEC 33

Calling Card Advertisements 51 Chevron 21

Chief Industries 15

CTP Mining DKSH 17

13

DMT Consulting Limited 29 Epiroc 11 Hinatuan Mining 9 Integral Industrial Management 5 LiuGong 23 Major Drilling OBC Paperless Trail 49 Paramina Earth Tech 1

Philippine Mining Luncheon 47 Philippine Resources Journal IBC QED IFC

RDCL 19

Sandvik 7

Taganito HPAL Nickel Corp. 3 Taganito Mining 2 Trisco 5

Mr. Antonio Peñalver (Executive Director, Aboitiz Construction, Inc.) at the Philippine Infrastructure and Construction Club, Seda Hotel BGC [Photo by Marcelle P. Villegas]

Mr. Jolan Formalejo’s presentation was titled “Aboitiz InfraCapital: Industrialization and Investments in South Luzon.”

He began his presentation by reporting that 2021 was a banner year for AIC Economic Estates. AIC received a total of 9 honors, including the International Finance Real Estate Awards and Property Guru Property Awards for Best Industrial Developer in Asia. LIMA Estate was recognized as the Country Winner for Best Industrial Development.

Mr. Formalejo enumerated the significant numbers concerning Region IV-A – CALABARZON in terms of economic growth and the number of investors, namely: • 7.6% annual economic growth rate in 2021—the fastest growing region of the country • 2.51% economic growth from

CALABARZON-based industries • P4.87 billion in foreign investment pledges for projects in CALA-

BARZON for Q1 2022 • 1,700 estimated foreign companies currently operating in the region • 6.8 million estimated labor force in CALABARZON as of Dec 2021 • 1,314 new infrastructure projects completed in 2021 alone with a total cost of P7.17 billion

From his report, the CALABARZON Industrial Belt is host to several industries such as manufacturing (automotive, electronics, garments, agricultural products, etc.), logistics, healthcare, construction, energy, and tourism.

Focusing on Batangas, the province is boosting its infrastructure projects with the help of the PPP (Public Private Partnership) Center. “This partnership will help decentralize Metro Manila by opening up more employment opportunities through the construction of additional infrastructure and development facilities in the region.”

These projects include the Batangas International Airport, Batangas Port Development Phase IV, Batangas City Access Zone, Calamba-Batangas Railway Spur Line, and Batangas Regional Food Terminal.

The Batangas Industrial Belt has a total land area of 316,581 hectares or 3,165.81 km . This is considered CALABARZON’s

industrial powerhouse. Batangas is the second richest province in the Philippines in 2020 in terms of net assets. “PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority) bats for the creation of more ecozones, particularly in land-rich Batangas.”

The most prevalent industries in the area are the oil refinery, natural gas, processed food, gifts, housewares, and wearables, he added.

Mr. Formalejo also talked about the Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates, namely the MEZ2 Estate, LIMA Estate, and West Cebu Estate. These are “Indus-

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