Gokongwei named Bacolod ‘mayor’

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Business tycoon John Gokongwei Jr. was named honorary mayor and adopted son of this city last Thursday. 

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said Gokongwei, “ignited the big bang which became a big boom” in this city.

Robinson’s Place Bacolod was the first mall of the Gokongweis outside Metro Manila.

“He had contributed so much to the economy of Bacolod by bringing air travel and communication within the reach of more Bacolod residents,” the executive order declaring Gokongwei as honorary mayor stated.

Gokongwei said it was an honor to be named honorary mayor and adopted son. 

“I’ve done many things in my 86 years of life, but I’ve never held any political office. Mayor John Gokongwei. I like the way that sounds. To think I didn’t even have to spend months out on the streets of Bacolod campaigning, making speeches and shaking hands,” he said.

“It is also very much an honor to be named an adopted son of Bacolod. I really am Bisaya, just like you. My mother, Juanita Marquez Lim, grew up in Iloilo. My father, John Gokongwei, grew up in Cebu. I myself grew up here in the Visayas, in Cebu,” he added. 

Gokongwei vowed to bring more investments to the city.

He said his business conglomerate, which operates five sugar mills in Negros, is also venturing  into the production of ethanol and the power industry.

Leonardia said Gokongwei was the third business tycoon to be adopted by the city, after former ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. and business tycoon Lucio Tan.