Belmonte eyes dev’t of 6 QC business hubs

Now that Quezon City is back on its feet, Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. is embarking on an ambitious program to develop six major business hubs all over the city.

"To make the city more attractive to business and investments," the mayor said, "we have identified special growth centers programmed for fast-tracked development."

Belmonte said he himself is amazed at the revival of the Metro Cubao business district and the growth of the Libis area into first-rate commercial centers in such a short span of time.

Now he is looking at areas forming the Timog triangle bounded by Tomas Morato and Timog Avenues, the Banawe Chinatown, the Novaliches and North Fairview districts and North Triangle as new growth centers.

He said a sidewalk redevelopment program for Tomas Morato Avenue is in the work through consultations with the business sector.

"Also, the socio-economic survey of Banawe business establishments has been completed in preparation for a revitalization program for the area."

He said that along Commonwealth, City Hall is launching a development-oriented program.

"We will develop a park and launch a beautification campaign in that area," he said, referring to a 33-hectare eco-park he wants to put up at the La Mesa Dam with the help of various business and civic groups.

He said Novaliches already hosts a large consumer market, and its new shopping malls are a magnet for consumers from North Fairview.

"Increased local government attention has helped encourage an attitude change among residents, where as before they wanted to break away and become a separate city, now many are enthusiastic about the developments they see," the mayor said.

Last week, Belmonte told businessmen the city is now back after been able to pay most of the nearly P3 billion in debts inherited from the previous administration.

Meanwhile, over 500 urban poor families from depressed areas in Quezon City will receive today livelihood funds from Belmonte to kick-off the 10-day series of festivities commemorating the city’s 63rd founding anniversary.

Sponsored jointly by the Quezon City government, the Quedancor and the Quezon City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the loans were made available under the GMA-Cares financing program.

Quedancor president and CEO Nelson Buenaflor said the beneficiaries will receive from P5,000 to P15,000 loans to start their own livelihood projects.

QCCI president Nathan Zulueta said 1,500 more will receive similar livelihood loans over the next few months under both the Quedancor and Sikap-Buhay projects of Belmonte.

Over 100 business firms will also hold today a job fair as their contribution to festivities during the city’s foundation anniversary.

This afternoon, the image of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of La Naval will be brought to Quezon City Hall in whose honor daily Masses and rosary vigils will be said throughout the 10-day festivities.

The newly-elected officials of Quezon City’s 142 barangays will likewise hold a whole-day program in honor of Belmonte, who is celebrating his birthday today.