Baywalk ventures

A two-kilometer stretch of Roxas Blvd. from the US Embassy to the Manila Yacht Club is now called Baywalk. It is an entertainment park where tourists and employees of nearby offices can hang out and unwind. It is also the best place to watch the sun set on Manila Bay.

"To be able to attract businessmen to invest in your city, you must first make its environment look like it is worth investing in," said Manila Mayor Joselito Atienza.

Amid the benches that line the well-lit park are seven restaurants, rewarded by the city for doing business in Manila for many years.

Each restaurant pays a rent of P20 per day per square meter. With an average of 50 sqm. per store, the city expects to generate some P2.5 million in revenues from the rent.

"That is enough to sustain the maintenance of the park," said Atienza.

Market

Café Adriatico was the first to open shop last October.

"On ordinary days, some 600 to 700 customers come here to our place," said manager Domingo Redoblado. The café is open only from six in the afternoon to one in the morning.

The price of beer is pegged at P40 a bottle in all seven restaurants.

"The steep price discourages excessive drinking, which may result in brawls, and encourages healthy competition in the meals served by the players," said Redoblado. "We’re happy doing business here even though sales is 30% slower than in our Adriatico branch. Our Baywalk prices are cheaper because the market is different."

So far, the city government has spent more than P50 million for the redevelopment of Baywalk.

Development

Every year, the city issues more than 500 business permits, increasing annually by 8% to 10%.

"I have replaced the business permit department with the business promotions bureau to change the mindset of the people from a restrictive department to one of liberalization and service. When you treat businessmen the right way, they behave the right way," said Atienza.

The best advertisement for Baywalk, however, is President Macapagal-Arroyo, who takes her early morning walk with her husband and/or her granddaughter. – AAAngel