Lopez group building retail center at Batangas ecozone

Lopez-led First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP) is constructing a new 15,000-square meter commercial hub inside its economic zone in Batangas, aiming to complete a three-story facility by the first quarter of 2026.

The company held on Sept. 10 a groundbreaking ceremony for the FPIP Plaza, which the firm said would house various retail establishments, restaurants, service centers, corporate offices and government offices.

“The 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 chief commercial officer Jose Valentin Pantangco said during the event.

“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,” he added.

FPIP has partnered with construction firm First Balfour and architectural firm Aidea to develop the commercial property.

Established in 1996, the 520-hectare FPIP economic zone in the province of Batangas is a joint venture between Sumitomo and local conglomerate First Philippine Holdings.

Today, FPIP employs almost 70,000 Filipinos where over 150 companies operate, according to its management.

Its locators include some of the biggest names in the industry: Collins Aerospace, Philippine Manufacturing Co. of Murata Inc. and Dyson.

Earlier in July, FPIP management announced that four Japanese manufacturing facilities inside the hub are hiring for over 1,430 positions. INQ