[ Manila Bulletin Online ] April 2, 2008
Four concepts for the Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated City – the Philippines’ biggest tourism development project ever – will be unveiled during the Gaming and Investment Conference for the 2008 Asia’s Gaming and Entertainment plus Leisure Expo (Asia’s GEM) today, Wednesday, April 2.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), through Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Efraim C. Genuino, will announce details of the approved concepts for the project in the conference at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino in Malate, Manila.
When completed, the $ 15-billion project is expected to boost tourist arrivals in the country by over a million to three million annually, generate over 250,000 new jobs, and dramatically increase government earnings.
A big local firm and conglomerates from Australia, Japan, and Malaysia submitted the approved concepts for the Bagong Nayong Pilipino, which also formally breaks ground during Asia’s Gem 2008.
All concepts for the project underscore the Philippines as a major tourist destination and an ideal site for "integrated resort" developments – that is, an entertainment and leisure complex that features a complete range of world-class amenities for people of all ages.
The proponents see the Bagong Nayong Pilipino having six-star hotels, gaming facilities, malls, museums, cultural centers, sports arenas, residential villages, and theme parks, with slight variations in each of the four proposals.
One proponent sees the Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated City, which will initially be built in 90 hectares of prime reclaimed land, as a "live, work, and play" complex 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The concept includes hotels and a popular theme park.
Another sees a resort with symbolic landmarks and amenities that represent "the very best of their type in Asia," including one of the largest Ferris wheels in the world.
Another foreign proponent sees the Bagong Nayong Pilipino built around three hotels facing Manila Bay, positioned to create "an unmistakable skyline address" for its resort complex.
A fourth sees the project having an "iconic structure" while seamlessly integrating with the existing amenities in the area.
Pagcor Chairman Genuino, who sees the project as the state-run firm’s ultimate legacy and contribution to the recovery of the country’s economy, said that the Bagong Nayong Pilipino will, "without cost to the government, create endless opportunities for local businessmen and generate jobs for our people."
Besides billions of dollars worth of revenues for the government in terms of direct foreign investments, lease payments, taxes, and tourism receipts, the Manila Bay Integrated City is expected to induce growth in locally based industries such as construction, information technology, food and beverage, hospitality, entertainment, and transportation.
Genuino has proposed that locators in the Bagong Nayong Pilipino pay salaries to their workers in US dollars, so Filipinos can earn as much as their counterparts in the gaming and entertainment industry abroad without leaving their families behind.
Pagcor co-presents Asia’s GEM 2008 with the EuroAsian Cooperation on Gaming Association (ECG), which Genuino heads as interim chairman. The expo is organized by the Asian GEM and Tourism Foundation, Inc.
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