DRAWING INVESTMENTS. Officials from the Northern Samar provincial government and Gokongwei Group during a meeting on July 5, 2024 at Crowne Plaza Galleria in Quezon City. The Northern Samar provincial government is eyeing investments from the Gokongwei Group in a bid to advance industrial and agricultural sectors in the province. (Photo courtesy of Northern Samar provincial government)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Northern Samar provincial government is eyeing investments from Gokongwei Group in a bid to advance the industrial and agricultural sectors in the province.
In a statement Wednesday, the provincial government said Governor Edwin Ongchuan had a meeting on July 5 with some officials of Gokongwei Group at Crowne Plaza Galleria in Quezon City to discuss investment potential.
“The provincial government’s economic team articulated plans, highlighting Northern Samar’s strategic advantages, including its newly implemented Green Lane, designed to streamline business permits and licensing processes and remove the bureaucratic burden from the Gokongwei Group should they decide to proceed with projects in the province,” the statement said.
The Green Lanes for strategic investments were established through Executive Order No. 18, which was approved by the Office of the President in February last year.
Green Lanes aim to hasten, simplify, and automate the permit and license application processes for strategic investments in the Philippines.
During the meeting, the provincial government formally requested significant considerations from the Gokongwei Group, including for Cebu Pacific, to reassess its decision regarding the resumption of flights to Northern Samar.
Additionally, the team inquired with JG Summit Holdings about their anticipated timeline for the construction of Robinsons Mall.
The provincial government also requested a feasibility study on the potential establishment of Summit and Go Hotel chains within the province.
In attendance from the Gokongwei Group are lawyer Jose Luis Aliling, external affairs director of Robinsons Land Corporation; lawyer Jose Angelo Cunanan, government relations, corporate affairs, and sustainability officer of JG Summit Holdings, Inc.; and lawyer Domingo Hamilton Tutaan III, government relations manager of Universal Robina Corporation.
“Their presence underscored the group’s keen interest in exploring opportunities that align with Northern Samar’s development agenda,” the provincial government added in the media release.
With the governor in the meeting were Director Ernesto Delos Reyes of the Board of Investments; Jhon Allen Berbon, head of the provincial economic development and investment promotions office; and Jay Keenson Acebuche, head of the provincial planning and development office. (PNA)
