WE WROTE “We remember New York” on May 29, 2018 in connection with Iloilo City’s nine-day trade mission to New York from June 1 to 9, 2018 that included an extended trip to two neighboring states and conduct an investment forum.
Coinciding with the Philippine Independence Day celebration by the Filipino community in New York, the business delegation came together with two ati-atihan Dinagyang tribes from Iloilo that paraded at New York’s Madison Avenue, and capped with a food festival and mini expo.
There was no doubt that the Dinagyang parade “wowed” New Yorkers but we were also interested in the business mission led by Mayor Jose Espinosa III for the city of Iloilo.
We undertook for the first time a promotion of investments in Iloilo at the US, especially in the major cities of New York, Washington DC and Fairfax, Virginia through the chambers of commerce of the three states as arranged by the Philippine Council of Management or PHILCOMAN.
Iloilo became known to PHILCOMAN because of the city’s first lady, Ma. Gina Sarabia-Espinosa, who headed the city’s delegation from the private sector. In 2017 she was the first woman Management Awardee of PHILCOMAN in its 41 years of history.
When we opened Iloilo’s 16-kilometer Circumferential Road, we suggested the idea for the city to create a special body, say an Investment Commission, to have some planning and order in the development of this special area for new locators to Metro Iloilo.
We understand that our city mayor’s party had already arrived from its business mission in New York and the neighboring states of Washington, DC and Virginia.
In coordination with PHILCOMAN, we are looking forward to Mayor Joe’s report on the important business mission he led in this US trip for Iloilo’s development and growth.
It’s a great day today as we celebrate the birthdate of our national hero, Jose Rizal.
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Historical Quote of the Week
“Iloilo is the first province to produce many millionaires and had the first Millionaire’s Row of residences in the city.” (For comments or re-actions, please e-mail to jnoveracompany@yahoo.com)/PN
