President Ferdinand R. Marcos on Sunday expressed confidence that the newly-inaugurated The Upper East in Bacolod City would generate more “quality jobs” that translate to economic growth in the country.

The Upper East, developed by Megaworld Corp., is the first master-planned, mixed-use community that will host Bacolod’s newest and most modern central business district.

Speaking during the inauguration of the new township, the President lauded the decision to erect The Upper East on what used to be the Bacolod-Murcia Milling Company (BMMC) on the eastern side of Bacolod City in Negros Occidental.

“It is a very important site, it is a historical site, and it will now become more than just a historical site. It will become a center for development in Bacolod City and I believe for the rest of the region,” Marcos said.

He also thanked the township developer for “listening to the plans of the government”, citing how public-private partnerships were crucial to ensuring economic recovery.

“We are coming out of a difficult time in our economic history. But we see the light coming not from one place. We see the light coming from our own people, from our government, and of course our private sector partnerships, individual citizens, and all of those who have participated in the partnerships that we are slowly forging and to give everyone a part in this transformation of our economy,” Marcos said.

“…The partnership that we have seen and being enforced here is a very good example of just that. And these close partnerships must be important because the government and the private sector must work hand in hand,” he added.

As more businesses continued to invest in the country, Marcos expressed confidence that the country would gradually recover after a major pandemic-related downturn in 2020.

“If we continue on this trajectory, I am very confident, malakas ang loob ko na makapagsabi na siguro sa ilang taon, hindi na tayo masyadong maghihintay. Makikita natin na dadami ang trabaho at ang pinag-uusapan dito ay hindi ‘yung basta-basta trabaho kung hindi ‘yung magagandang trabaho na may kasamang benefit, may kasamang mga safety net, na may kasamang lahat ng mga pangangailangan ng mga trabahador (that in a few years, we won’t have to wait long to see more jobs and not just any jobs, quality jobs that have benefits, safety nets, and all the needs of our workers),” Marcos said.

“Jobs are important but quality jobs are even more important and that is what they will get here,” he added.

Marcos also expressed gratitude to Megaworld chief strategy officer Kevin Tan for “his continuing faith in the Philippines”.

“A clever businessman like Kevin will not invest this much if he does not have confidence that this will succeed. And this can only succeed if the rest of the country is doing well,” he said.

Marcos is optimistic the 34-hectare township project of property giant Megaworld will bring development for this city and the rest of Western Visayas.

“It is particularly significant because we have now begun this development. Megaworld, together with the help of the city government and the provincial, what they have started here, has been done in this very historical place,” he noted.

Displayed behind the marker is a refurbished century-old BMMC train, which was used to transport sugarcane to the mill site.

“I was informed before coming here that my father-in-law worked here in this central, in this mill. Again. it has many significant connections to Bacolod City,” the President said.

Marcos added that he sees the township development to provide “quality jobs” for the people.

“Which is something that is very, very more important because it is quality jobs. That is what they will get here. I’m not only talking about the people who have their work here, but if you think of the suppliers, if you think of the consumers, if you think transport workers; all the ancillary services that surround a large development such as this, you will see the downstream and upstream effects are very significant. Mararamdaman talaga ng (it will be felt) by the community,” the President said.

For his part, Tan said the development of the township and the other investments of his company in Bacolod are expected to generate more than 500,000 direct and indirect jobs in Negros Occidental.

Aside from The Upper East, Tan’s other major projects in the pipeline are the construction of the Megaworld Lifestyle Mall and the first-ever Landers Superstore in Western Visayas.

Tan, a member of Marcos’ Private Sector Advisory Council of business leaders, and who has been honored as “Adopted Son of Bacolod”, said the The Upper East is expected to generate more than 500,000 direct and indirect jobs in Bacolod and Negros Occidental.

He added that Philippine Economic Zone Authority-accredited office towers will also rise on the site to provide employment to around 100,000 individuals in the next five to ten years.

“With Bacolod’s modern central business district rising here in The Upper East, Megaworld aligns its efforts with the government’s objectives of generating employment, jumpstarting tourism, and bringing in high-quality investments to the country,” Tan said. (PNA)