Conglomerate eyes health, real estate ventures in city

Despite the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, Iloilo City’s economy remains attractive as it is being eyed for more business prospects particularly in health and real estate.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said the city is bullish on its economy and business prospects while it moves towards recovery from Covid-19 pandemic.

The mayor revealed that the conglomerate biz group, Ayala Corporation, eyes business prospects in the metro particularly in health and real estate.

“I am very happy because nagkadto ang chief executive officer (CEO) sang Ayala and they are looking for possible investments,” he said during the regular press conference on Monday.

Ayala Corp President and CEO Fernando Zobel de Ayala visited Iloilo City and met with Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas last week.

According to the mayor, Ayala Corp. is looking at possible expansions in health, adding that the company plans to establish the first In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Center in Iloilo.

“Ginatan-aw nila ang possibility magexpand operations thru sa ila nga ospital nga Qualimed. They plan to open an IVF facility by September or October,” the mayor revealed.

Once established, the IVF facility will also be the first in Western Visayas.

“Kon madayon, dako gid nga bulig kay waay pa na diri sa aton. Ang pinakalapit guro ato pa sa Cebu,” he added.

IVF is a type of assisted reproductive technology (ART) which utilizes a combination of medicines and surgical procedures to help the sperm fertilize the egg and eventually, implant the fertilized egg in the uterus.

Aside from the IVF, the company also plans to invest on real estate.

“They are looking at investments on real estate subdivisions and commercial developments. Nagistorya man sila sa duta nila dira sa Seda,” Treñas said.

Ayala Corp. through its subsidiaries, is behind the Atria Park District in Brgy. San Rafael, Mandurriao which features residential, retail, health care and educational institutions including the modern hospital facility QualiMed Hospital Iloilo.

Aside from real estate and health, the mayor added that they are looking at other investments from other companies particularly in the business processing outsourcing (BPO) sector.

He said that the BPO sector in Iloilo City remains bullish with 36,000 employees.

“More buildings are being constructed para sa aton BPOs. It means bullish ang aton BPO sector, sige sige ang expansion. As you can see, the cheaper power rates make the city even more attractive for BPOs kag kada tuig madamo kita sang graduates,” he said.

Treñas said that the city is now on the recovery stage. Hence, the city is continuously looking for business prospects while at the same time campaigning for the administration of booster shots as it moves toward recovery.

“After Covid-19 pandemic, nagalantaw kita para sa prospects for recovery while nagakampanya sa booster. Kadamo sang potensyal and it is about time for us to unravel this potential. Tiempo na gid sang aton recovery stage,” he noted. (DG)