GORDON INVITES INVESTORS AND RETIREES
Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. promoted Olongapo City and the Subic Bay Freeport Zone as feasible hubs for investment and idyllic localities for retirement at the 22nd Trade Mission to the Philippines held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center last February 17, 2012.
“Today, I am inviting retirees not only from Hawaii but also from other countries to consider Olongapo and Subic Bay Freeport as their retirement get-away and let us show you that it is really more fun to be in the Philippines,” Mayor Gordon said to the members and delegates of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (FCCH) and its subsidiary Hawaii-Philippine Business and Economic Council (HPBEC).
“Almost six years ago, the City of Olongapo and the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) embarked on an ambitious program to create an ambiance in Olongapo and Subic Bay to make it pleasantly attractive for foreign retirees.
Now, I can very well say that we are certainly ready. Not just in medical tourism but also more importantly, in the maintenance of peace and order around the community,” he added.
Mayor Gordon also urged the business contingent from Hawaii to invest in the city citing how Olongapo rose from the challenges it faced in the past: from the Pinatubo eruption, American naval base withdrawal and the volunteerism that made the Subic Bay Freeport Zone today.
It can be recalled that one of the major awards received last year by Olongapo was the Most Business-Friendly LGU award conferred by the prestigious Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).
“The Most Business-Friendly LGU award is a confirmation that we are on the right track in promoting business and investment growth,” said Mayor Gordon, stressing that “we have a steadily growing business sector because we are consistent in our efforts to give the best service to the public.”
Likewise, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia, presenters from the business sectors and representatives from the PRA also demonstrated the benefits of investing and retiring in Olongapo and in Subic Bay Freeport Zone to FCCH and HPBEC.
The FCCH and HPBEC had also been to Manila, Cebu, Baguio and Clark areas, which along with Olongapo and Subic Bay, were chosen for their “tremendous economic activities.”
Said trade mission is composed of entrepreneurs in Hawaii who are interested in conducting trade and business relations in the Philippines. Its goals also include promoting investment and tourism destinations between Hawaii and the Philippines as well as encouraging trade and economic activities, particularly in the development of renewable and green technology.
