By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran on Jan 15, 2020 confirmed that the Sangguniang Panlungsod has approved the resolution declaring Dr. Andrew Tan, chairman of the Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI), as the adopted son of Bacolod City for year 2020.
Familiaran told Daily Guardian here that “it’s our tradition that every Bacolaodiat festival a nationally acclaimed member of Filipino-Chinese community is declared as adopted son of the city.”
He also said that Tan’s contributions to the city in terms of billions of investments that will spur economic growth makes him worthy as an adopted Bacolodnon.
The resolution was unanimously approved by the City Council on Jan. 8, 2020 upon the request of Mayor Evelio Leonardia in time for the 15th Bacolaodiat Festival on Jan. 31 to Feb. 2.
The approved resolution also said that “Tan has become one of the most admired entrepreneurs in the country, a renowned innovator and brand builder,” being the “chairman of Alliance Global Group Inc., which concentrates on property development, integrated tourism, food and beverage, and quick-service restaurants.”
“The contributions made by Dr. Andrew Lim Tan to the city and the country that spur continued development make him worthy to be declared as an adopted Bacolodnon.”
In his letter to the City Council, Leonardia said that Tan is the “unanimous choice and has the full endorsement of the Bacolod Filipino-Chinese community through the Bacolaodiat Foundation” to be an adopted son of Bacolod.
Tan will be honored by the city government, together with the Bacolaodiat Foundation, with the two titles in rites to be held at the SP Session Hall and the City Mayor’s Office in the afternoon of February 1.
“The development of Megaworld Corp. in the city has brought tremendous business and employment opportunities for which we are truly grateful for, especially that this new growth center is located so close to the Bacolod City Government Center,” Leonardia said.
“This year, we will mark the Bacolaodiat Festival’s milestone year by recognizing Dr. Andrew L. Tan as a visionary and trendsetter in the real estate industry, among others, with his Live-Work-Play-Learn lifestyle formula. Without doubt, he is highly respected, as well in the business community,” he added.
City government records showed that other Filipino-Chinese tycoons who have been conferred the title “Adopted Sons of Bacolod” included Lucio Tan, John Gokongwei Jr., Henry Sy, and Eduardo Cojuangco.
