Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC), the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group reaffirmed its sustainability commitments to the Batangueños at the recently-concluded Batangas Development Summit 2022. AIC–through its Economic Estates Head Rafael Fernandez De Mesa–reiterated its strong partnership with the Batangas provincial government to stimulate economic growth, industrial estate transformation, and advancement of commerce in the province and its adjacent areas.
During the summit, Rafael Fernandez de Mesa presented the pioneering smart city and sustainability initiatives that the company has incorporated and continues to build upon at its Economic Estates in Batangas. Fernandez de Mesa also highlighted the 200 hectares of ongoing expansions at LIMA Estate in Lipa-Malvar Batangas, which sparked interest among the public and private stakeholders, and local and national investors in attendance.
“As you can see, Aboitiz InfraCapital is continuously striving to elevate and transform our Economic Estates in order to adhere to the requirements of an increasingly sophisticated and discerning market,” said Rafael Fernandez de Mesa, Head of Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates and President of LIMA Land, Inc. “This commitment, though seemingly immense, is made possible through the support and partnership with local and national government agencies, as well as the communities wherein we operate.”
Fernandez de Mesa outlined three major commitments with the local government of Batangas in its bid to position the province as a major investment hub in the country outside of Metro Manila.
Stimulate economic growth by bringing in foreign capital, local investments and generating employment opportunities for thousands of Filipinos in Batangas, Laguna and nearby provinces.
Transform the countryside into next-generation cities through smart and sustainable industrial-anchored development, as exemplified by LIMA Estate.
Continuously create more and higher value added jobs, evidenced by the emerging LIMA Central Business District.
Recently, Aboitiz InfraCapital announced that the company will invest approximately P2 billion to develop its Economic Estates, primarily LIMA Estate in Lipa and Malvar, Batangas. This expansion will generate approximately 40,000 jobs for Filipinos in Batangas and neighboring provinces, contributing to the economic growth of the province.
During the event, Batangas Provincial Governor Hermilando Mandanas expressed gratitude to AIC for its strong partnership with the local governments in achieving a collective goal to improve the life of Batanguenos. “One of the most effective mediums for development that we are pushing here in the province of Batangas since 2017 is the Private-Public Partnership. I know this provincial ordinance will make a significant contribution to our people.
Governor Mandanas further continued with the local government’s commitment to developing the province. “We are taking advantage of this summit. Everyone will be able to participate, nobody will be left behind and you can be assured that we will be working as one, united for the social development not only of our province but our country.”
Joining the guest speakers for this year’s Batangas Development Summit are Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates Head Rafael Fernandez de Mesa, Batangas Provincial Governor Hermilando Mandanas, and Batangas State University President Tirso Ronquillo.
Established by the FAITH College’s Center for Batangas Initiatives in 2012, the Batangas Summit annually brings together stakeholders in the government, academic, and business sectors in exploring economic and social development opportunities in the province of Batangas and neighboring provinces in the CALABARZON region. The event featured a discussion panel featuring Fernandez de Mesa, Governor Mandanas, and BSU President Tirso Ronquillo tackling Batangas as a gateway to progress, emphasizing on the importance sustainability, PPP partnerships, food and energy security, and developmental efforts geared towards the readiness and recovery of the region following the COVID-19 pandemic and the eruption of Taal Volcano.
With the theme of One Batangas: Gateway to Progress, this year’s summit featured presentations by key speakers; BSU: The National Engineering University to be presented by University President Tirso Ronquillo, PhD, and Infrastructure, Energy and Industrial Development to be presented by Mr. Rafael Fernandez de Mesa, Head of Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates and President of LIMA Land, Inc. The summit aims to provide updates on the current state of the province, and inform the public on the rising opportunities brought by developments in the area in a bid to position Batangas as an investment hub outside of Metro Manila.
