MANILA, Philippines – Taguig City, one of the Philippines’ fastest growing metropolises, is home to numerous public-private partnerships that contributed to the country’s progress. Once an unknown backwoods of Manila, the City of Taguig has in six years been transformed into a thriving business, residential and commercial hub.
In commemoration of these successful partnerships, the city administration recently held a thanksgiving celebration at the Taguig satellite office in SM Aura Tower to honor its top partners in progress.
Leading the event was Mayor Lani Cayetano, together with Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and guest of honor, Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. The occasion gathered the investors and businesses who have shown steadfast confidence and support for the city’s development potentials over the years.
“Whatever good developments you see around this city, the thousands who have graduated from colleges and universities that are now working, the thousands who are still in school and in scholarships, the thousands who have been nursed back to health by our hospitals and health centers, I am pleased to say that all of you have played a big part in it. Kaya sa gabi pong ito, tanggapin niyo po ang aming taos-pusong pasasalamat,” enthused Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano.
One of the investors recognized was DMCI Homes, which has built a progressive track record of successful residential projects in Taguig since 1999. The first project of DMCI Homes was, in fact, located in Taguig, the Lakeview Manors. “We’ve always believed in the potential of the city from then until now,” noted Jan Venturanza, AVP for marketing at DMCI Homes.
DMCI Homes ranked 13th among Taguig’s top partners in progress. The triple A property builder has developed over 47 hectares of the city’s land into premium condominium and subdivision residences which provide quality homes for over 6,000 residents of Taguig.
The developer’s projects in the city have been made more successful because of its administration’s continuous achievements in the areas of education, health, infrastructure development, peace and order, and overall quality of life.
In fact, from 2010 to 2015, scholarship programs have been enhanced and produced over 34,000 scholars, PhilHealth benefits enabled residents to avail themselves of hospital and medical services for free, and more businesses came in. In support of the industries, over 6,000 have been trained in food and beverage services, electrical and computer maintenance, entrepreneurship, and other fields of specialization. The city is also currently the top achiever among all clusters and divisions in the Department of Education’s National Achievement Test – a leap from its 13th spot among 16 cities in the National Capital Region back in 2010.
“These are all because of you,” said Cayetano. “We are a work in progress. But I’m excited for the future, because businesses and investments will have grown by then. Whatever revenues we collect from you, we make sure that we put this into targeted programs that bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.”
Taguig City continues to strive to be a premium land in the minds of people — one of the most livable, progressive and business-friendly cities in the country and where residents experience the benefits of the city’s growth.
Other companies cited during the thanksgiving event were Sony Philippines at the 20th spot, followed by Ericsson Services Philippines Inc, Makati Development Corp, Motor Image Manila Inc, Fiji North Properties Inc, Del Monte Philippines Inc, Metro Drug Inc, Kapatiran Realty Corp, Alveo Land Corp, Megaworld Corp, Colgate Palmolive Philippines Inc, Serendra Inc, Nokia Solutions and Networks Philippines Inc, BG South Properties Inc, Avida Land Corp, Station Square East Commercial Corp, Ayala Land Inc, Samsung Electronic Philippines, Inc. and at top rank is the Fort Bonifacio Development Corp.
Taguig continues to be one of the country’s most successful and competitive financial districts, with tax rates much lower than neighboring cities. It is home to 16 universal and commercial banks, 10 rural banks, 1,126 manufacturing firms, two shopping malls, 24 cottage industries, 7,776 registered commercial and industrial establishments, 53 subdivisions and two public markets.