A three-hectare area in Megaworld’s The Upper East in Bacolod City will be developed as a Japan Town, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez announced on Monday, February 20.
Benitez and Megaworld’s Kevin Tan joined President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his recent trip to Japan.
The mayor said his trip to Japan, which was similar to the president’s state visit to China, was a marketing effort to present and promote Bacolod for future investments. “You would be surprised, some of them did not even know where Bacolod is,” he said.
But Benitez said it was a very fruitful trip because there were a lot of people who asked questions.
There were a few investors who expressed interest in investing in renewable projects and others in infrastructure, including reclamation work, Benitez said.
“But the most exciting part is they also expressed interest to put up a Japan Town in the City of Bacolod to promote tourism,” he said.
Tan, an adopted son of Bacolod, told the investors he will allocate a 3-hectare area in The Upper East to be developed as a Japan Town.
Benitez said Tan just informed him that they are finalizing the perspective and designs, and they will be getting establishments from Japan to locate to the Japan Town in Bacolod. This is being done in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Japan that will coordinate with potential locators, Benitez said.
One company also wants to put up a heritage and cultural monument at the site, Benitez said.*