News

From left to right: First Balfour President and COO Anthony Fernandez, FPIP Senior BD Manager May Abalos, FPIP Corporate Planning Head Manuel Lizardo, Jr., FPIP CCO Joval Pantangco, Congressman Ray Reyes, Congresswoman Maitet Collantes, former Santo Tomas Vice Mayor Abet Marasigan, Aidea President Arch. Jojo Tolentino, FPIP SVP for Construction Management Group Alexander Roque, Commercial Properties Group Head Alberto Cailao, and BD Officer Krisha Mendoza.

Lopez-led First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP) broke ground on a three-story mixed-use hub inside its nearly 600-hectare space in Sto. Tomas, Batangas on September 10, 2024.

FPIP Plaza is a 15,000-square meter space that will house various retail establishments, restaurants, service centers, corporate offices, and government offices upon its completion – all aimed at creating a more convenient and elevated experience for FPIP locator employees, visitors, and the local community.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, FPIP Chief Commercial Officer Jose Valentin “Joval” Pantangco said, “FPIP Plaza is a testament to our desire to create something that is for the community, employees, and locators of FPIP, and even more importantly, the whole of Sto. Tomas and Tanauan, and barangays nearby will have an opportunity to gather and connect with each other.” 

FPIP Plaza, located at FPIP’s Gate 1, also aims to open doors for more employment opportunities, adding to the over 70,000 employees working at FPIP.

Aidea's digital render of FPIP Plaza showcases a modern space designed for leisure, retail, and business.

“It will continue to support the mission of FPIP – to create jobs, strengthen industry, and modernize the two cities of Sto. Tomas and Tanauan, and make Batangas as the prime industrial corridor of the Philippines,” Pantangco added. 

The groundbreaking ceremony was led by FPIP’s Pantangco, Batangas 3rd District Congresswoman Maitet Collantes; AnaKalusugan Partylist Representative Congressman Ray Reyes; and Santo Tomas Mayor Arth Jhun Marasigan, represented by former Vice Mayor Abet Marasigan.

The symbolic laying of capsule was participated by other FPIP officers, including Senior Vice President for Construction Management Group Mr. Alexander Roque, Corporate Planning and Sustainability Head Mr. Manuel Lizardo, Jr., Commercial Properties Group Head Mr. Alberto Cailao, Senior Business Development Manager Ms. May Abalos, and Business Development Officer Ms. Krisha Mendoza.

Also gracing the groundbreaking ceremony were the Honorable Batangas Vice Governor Jose Antonio “Mark” Leviste II, Batangas Board members Alfredo Corona and Rodolfo Balba; Vice Mayor Catherine Jaurique-Perez, represented by Councilors Adrian Carpio, Raque Maloles-Salazar, Ladislao Malijan, Angel Faye Parra, and Secretary Monette Trinidad; Sto. Tomas Department Heads led by City Administrator Engr. Binoy Medalla; and Barangay Chairman Dennis Austria.

Congresswoman Collantes recognized how the new FPIP Plaza can help boost businesses and aid customers, “I can already see the impending growth of the local economy, the creation of even more work opportunities, the flourishing of surrounding businesses, the placement of more investments, and the strengthening of the position of FPIP and its partners.”

Congressman Reyes underscored the significance of how having state-of-the-art facilities can help elevate the quality of life of Batanguenos and create a more vibrant economy, “FPIP Plaza will introduce modern facilities and amenities that will enhance the everyday experience of our residents, locators and their employees. From improved access to services, vibrant public spaces to social interaction, FPIP Plaza will become a vital part of the community standard.” 

Former Santo Tomas Vice Mayor Abet Marasigan bared how FPIP has become instrumental in the economic growth of the City of Santo Tomas, “Because of FPIP’s presence, the population of Sto. Tomas City spiraled that made businesses very much alive in every nook and corner of this city. The coffers of the city were able to generate high revenue to fund its development plans. This groundbreaking of FPIP Plaza signals another milestone in the continued progress of the city.”

FPIP is a PEZA-registered ecozone that is home to over 150 world-class locators, including Collins Aerospace, Philippine Manufacturing Co. of Murata Inc., and Dyson. FPIP has partnered with construction firm First Balfour and architectural firm Aidea to develop FPIP Plaza. It is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2026. ###