"Central Luzon as the Eye of the Asian Tiger“- An Economic Briefing

In this photo: L-R, Senior Executive Vice President III & Director, Ms. Analiza O. Pulido, Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas and Chairman & President, Ms. Teresa David-Carlos.

HOLY ANGEL UNIVERSITY, ANGELES CITY, NOVEMBER 13, 2015 - An Economic Briefing on Central Luzon Economy took place in PGN Auditorium (9th Flr), Holy Angel University, Angeles City, courtesy of one of the country's best Economist, Writer and Presidential Adviser - Dr.Bernardo M. Villegas.

BOF Chairman & President and incumbent Pampanga Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PamCham) Treasurer, Ms. Teresa David-Carlos, together with Senior Executive Vice President (SEVP) III, Ms. Analiza O. Pulido joined members of both the Metro Angeles City Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (MACCI) and the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce (PamCham) , as well as provincial and city government officials led by Angeles City Vice Mayor – Hon. Vicky Vega and Pampanga Board Member- Hon. Joseph Anthony Torres. HAU President Dr. Luis Maria Calingo and MACCCI President Dr. Frankie Villanueva gave the opening and closing remarks, respectively.

In a nutshell, Dr. Villegas encourages entrepreneurs and capitalists to invest now considering that banks are awash with money and are eager to lend. He further suggested to:

1. Convert farmlands into Urban greeneries that will produce

high value crops like honey dew etc.;

2. Transform or convert Houses and Ancestral Homes into Bed and

Breakfast Facilities;

3. Go beyond the Philippine Borders and think GLOBAL;

4. Keep abreast in the latest happenings in the ASEAN

Region.

He pegged Central Luzon as Eye of Asian Tiger having the attributes of a well-balanced economy:

1. Strong Agricultural Base - Region III is an agricultural area and focus on High Value Crops;

2. Growing Manufacturing Sector - Clark is a contender for the transfer of manufacturing factories from China which has started closing because of high wages in China

3. Vibrant Service Sector - Pampanga can be an Education and Logistics center in Central Luzon.