New business hub in Mariveles, Bataan eyed

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – The industrial town of Mariveles, Bataan is readying to reclaim some 12 hectares of a foreshore area adjacent to town proper as future new business hub and recreational center for more than 30,000 workers of Bataan Economic Zone (BEZ).

An initial fund of P10 million has been earmarked for the reclamation project to be started soon when the final master plan is completed.

Mariveles Mayor Angeles Peliglorio Jr. said the P4 million will come from the municipal coffers while the P6 million from the provincial government of Bataan.

Peliglorio said he has discussed the project with The Four Star Consulting, a consultancy firm which offered services to the municipal government for free to improve local economy and generate employment opportunities to the fast-expanding industrial town.

The Four Star Consulting has been in frequent interaction with foreign embassies and agencies responsible for overseas development assistance, thus has become particularly knowledgeable about how to arrange for study grants and developmental loans for public projects and even financing for private businesses.

The project consists of the building of intermodal transport terminal for passengers and cargo, a bay boulevard, a government center, an industrial Zone for marine products processing and cold storage and a cluster of financial establishments, commercial outlets and recreational facilities.

Jaime Leon Melendres, senior partner-consultant of Four Star Consulting said he will draw a master plan for the proposed business and recreational center which will include the development of the existing landscape along with the reclamation and construction of vital infrastructure, provision of public utilities such as electricity and domestic water, sewerage and waste disposal system, mass transportation and communication facilities.