Alsons expands property venture to Soccsksargen

TheAlcantara Group, a Mindanao-grown Filipino conglomerate, has expanded its property development operations from the Davao region to Soccsksargen, signaled by Friday’s launching of Avia Estate, a mixed-use realty project in nearby Alabel, Sarangani province.

Alcantara Group subsidiary Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev) officially launched at a hotel here the Avia Estate, a township project that will house prime residential communities, first-class leisure amenities, wide retail and commercial offerings, an educational institution and government support facilities all in one place in Barangay Maribulan.

Avia Estate is about nine kilometers away from General Santos, the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines.”

“Alsons Dev’s heritage is built on a strong track record of building and nurturing residential communities and commercial properties that generations of Dabawenyos have enjoyed, and we are excited to bring our experience in Davao to Sarangani and continue this tradition of growth,” Rosie Dominguez, Alsons Dev executive vice president, said in a statement.

“We believe that we will help redefine the standard of living in Sarangani by providing high-quality living and commercial spaces where Mindanawons can flourish,” she added.

DOE chief wants to assess taxes on energy sector

Department of Energy (DOE)

Secretary Raphael Lotilla

Monday said his agency is looking to assess the taxes imposed in the energy sector to determine how these contributed to the high power cost in the country.

Speaking to the members of the Makati Business Club in Makati City, Lotilla said the government also needs to look into the possible impacts on power cost if it will impose a carbon tax.

“This is what we are trying to look at —the entire taxation system in the energy sector. So after making it (power) unsubsidized, we also have value-added tax (VAT), we also have excise tax, the VAT on excise tax, the VAT on sys- tem losses, and so many elements that add to the cost. Then there’s proposal on carbon tax,” he said.

Lotilla said DOE would like to study the proposal on carbon tax “more deliberately and more systematically” to determine the possible effects of its imposition to the energy sector.

“We need to have a better analysis of the taxes that are imposed on the energy sector,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the event.

Lotilla said that while the DOE is looking at making power available and affordable to the consumers, these taxes are also a big source of revenue for the government to fund its various pro-

PEZA eyes investments from SMEs in China’s Yiwu Market

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from China’s Yiwu Market, the world’s largest wholesale market, is exploring opportunities in the Philippines.

In a statement Monday, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said the agency received a delegation from Zhejiang province last March 7.

PEZA officer-in-charge Tereso Panga invited the SMEs from Yiwu to locate their hubs in economic zones in the Philippines.

“The economic cooperation with Yiwu will surely increase investment and trade for the country as we attract Yiwu’s small commodity manufacturers to set up their production facilities ideally in the ecozones,” Panga said.

He said the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives (CRE-

ATE) law has allowed PEZA to register SMEs locating inside ecozones to cater to the domestic market.

“These ecozone manufactured products can be readily made available to the domestic market, which are expected to be cheaper as compared to imported products and thus, benefiting the Filipino consumers,” he added.

Yiwu Market, also known as Yiwu China Commodities City or Yiwu International Trade City, is a complex with 75,000 stores and small commodity producers of 2.1 million items.

“PEZA hopes to attract more Chinese investors to add to its current 160 Chinese RBEs that generated by far a total of PHP25.446 billion investments, FPEZA, P10

Alsons Dev is a known property developer in Davao City, where it has built top-notch residential and commercial projects that have transformed the lifestyle of Dabawenyos. With Alsons Dev’s entry into Sarangani, it promises to further reinvigorate the Soccsksargen economic landscape.

Former Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez, Alsons Dev director, said that Sarangani has always been a valued province to the Alcantara family, owing to the area’s growth potential.

“We want to be part of that growth, and we are committed to helping lead Mindanao’s progress by creating a new lifestyle destination that will serve as a growth hub and create more opportunities for the people residing here,” said Dominguez, a scion of the Alcantara family.

The first development with- in the 121-hectare Avia Estate township is the Narra Park Residences Avia, which builds on the success of Narra Park Residences in Davao under the Nurtura Land & Home brand.

Designed to offer the best of countryside living and modern conveniences, Narra Avia offers a lush, secure and conducive environment for starting a family or settling down in a vibrant and secure community.

“We believe that it will be the ideal choice for Sarangani (and nearby GenSan) residents who want to enjoy a serene environment while aspiring to meet their dreams for themselves and their families,” Dominguez said.

Alongside this, Alsons Dev has forged a partnership with The Abba’s Orchard, the country’s largest and most esteemed Montessori school, to ensure that quality education is within easy reach of residents in the area.

Alsons Dev has also partnered with the local government unit to build a Public Safety and Security Complex, which will house police and fire stations—bringing essential government services closer to the community.

Alabel Mayor Vic Paul Salarda committed to support Alsons Dev’s project.

“We can assure you that we will be here to support the company in this project. We are confident that this partnership will lead to many opportunities that will improve the lives of our residents and put Alabel on the map as a dynamic growth hub in Sarangani,” he said.

The Alcantara Group is one of the largest Filipino-owned conglomerates with over 60 years of