Bulletin 7/15/2008 Manila.
He noted that the city and its residents will benefit "as property valuation in San Lazaro increases as (more establishments) locate there."
Outside San Lazaro, Mayor Lim pointed out the Baywalk and the Harbor areas as districts that have profited from renewal efforts.
"Certainly the facelifts have attracted more tourists and residents in the area, thereby promoting business ventures," Lim said.
Additional revenues to the city's coffers will be earmarked for more services to Manila residents, he added.
Expected to heighten business and commercial activity in the one-hectare San Lazaro property, once the site of daily horse races, is the Business Process Outsourcing complex located on Felix Huertas corner Yuseco Street
The complex is developed by Ayala Land Businesscapes, a business unit of Ayala Land, Inc., and the Manila Jockey Club Inc. of the Reyno family. The complex will have two BPO office towers that will house call centers, IT-related enterprises and other offices, according to Marivic Anonuevo, Ayala Land Inc. SVP and Group Head of Ayala Land Businesscapes.
A series of residential condominium and townhouse developments by Ayala Land subsidiaries, Community Innovations Inc. and Avida, will offer a range of units plus the array of restaurants, retail and other services offered by the adjoining SM San Lazaro mall. Designed for 24/7 operations, the two office towers will serve as a magnet for growing BPO firms seeking to tap the rich labor pool in the area. The towers are set for completion in 4th quarter of 2008 and 4th quarter of 2010. Both are within walking distance to the University of Sto. Tomas and Chiang Kai Shek College and within commuting distance of the University Belt which attracts thousands of students each year. As the national capital city, Manila has not lost its charms to foreign and local tourists. Its known tourist attractions like the Manila Bay sunset, and famous landmarks like Intramuros, Rizal Park, Chinatown and the Divisoria shopping districts have been enhanced by new tourist destinations such as the Manila Ocean Park, Baywalk and the Floating Restaurant in Manila Bay. Manila's business, residential and tourist projects will also be advantageous to the city's less affluent residents. According to Lim, proceeds from the business and tourist areas will be channeled to low-cost housing complexes. These will be in Anak Bayan, Santibanez, Arroceros, Vito Cruz-Maytubig and Vito Cruz-Balagtas, he said. Lim's first term as mayor, after a long stint as a bemedalled police officer and director of the National Bureau of Investigation, was from 1992 to 1998. After a brief hiatus as senator, he returned to Manila in 2007 for a second cycle to continue his vision of further upgrading the capital city. Source: Filipinas Heritage Library News Service