Governor Gwen eyes more partnerships with Chinese firms

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is pushing for more Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) with the Chinese businessmen.

In an investment forum of the members of the Chinese Enterprise Philippines Association, Garcia mentioned the successful PPP between the Cebu Provincial Government and the Filinvest Land Inc.

The Filinvest Cyberzone Cebu, a four-tower BPO complex nestled in the 1.2 hectare property of Capitol at Cebu IT Park is what Garcia made as an example.

The said complex is under a Build-Transfer-Operate agreement where the private company will be the one to build the edifice, and then turn it over to the Capitol.

The Capitol in its part will grant Filinvest 25 year to manage and operate the building.

“I decided to define government not as a charitable institution for which those with ‘ayuda’ mentality would constantly be looking up to,” Garcia said in a report of Sugbo News, the Capitol’s news portal.

The governor also invited the businessmen to invest more in Cebu especially when it comes to water treatment, tourism, transportation, among other.

“I define government this way: government is an enterprise, and enterprise demands efficiency. Efficiency translates to quality service, and quality service redounds to the benefit of all,” she added.

CEPA is an association of Chinese businessmen in the Philippines that conducted an investment forum in Cebu. — (FREEMAN)