P100M to be invested in
Bacolod, Neg. Occ.
BY ADRIAN NEMES III

The Philippine Seven Corp., local operator of the 7-Eleven chain of convenience stores, is pouring in about P100 million worth of investments in Bacolod and Negros Occidental as it targets to open 20 new branches in the city and in different areas in the province this year.

PSC president and chief executive officer Jose Victor Paterno, who said at the inauguration rites of their four branches at the Montelibano Property in Silay City, Two San Parq near Convergys call center, High Strip 5 near Panasiatic call center, and at the VSB building along Lacson Street in Bacolod City yesterday, that they will hire eight to ten employees for each stores

Paterno said one or two of these new branches will be managed by the PSC, while the rest will be run by franchisees. PSC is eyeing to put up their branches up near residential areas, stores, malls and offices, he added.

Ayala return to boost
economy: officials
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday said he agrees with Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. that the contracts of the provincial government with AyalaLand Inc. (ALI) have to be honored, while Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella said any investment by the firm in the city will be a boost to the local economy.

On Wednesday, Marañon said the Negros Occidental provincial government will honor its deed of conditional sale and lease contractwith ALI covering its 7.7-hectare property at Gatuslao Street in Bacolod City that were signed in April last year.

The governor issued this assurance after ALI president and chief operating officer Antonino Aquino and senior vice president and VisMin Group head Emilio Tumbucon met with him Tuesday to convey their interest in pursuing the project.

Albee to act on
disparity in fuel price
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Rep. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) yesterday said he has refiled his Sugarcane Industry Development Actbill and is seeking another inquiry into the price disparity between fuel sold in Negros Occidental and Metro Manila when Congress resumes.

The sugarcane bill failed to pass in the 15th Congress and Benitez, who refilled it on July 1, is again pushing for its approval in the 16th Congress.

The bill is geared towards revitalizing and strengthening the sugarcane industry through diversification, development and financing programs to cushion, if not counter, the possible destabilization effects of the drop tariff on imported sugar by 2015, Benitez has said.