BIZ BUZZ: BCDA wins over more John Hay lessees

BIZ BUZZ: BCDA wins over more John Hay lessees

/ 02:11 AM January 14, 2025

Good news for pizza and pasta lovers!

Baguio-born pizza restaurant Amare La Cucina is expanding its presence in the province, with a new branch set to open soon inside Camp John Hay.

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) on Monday said it had signed a 15-year commercial lease agreement with the pizzeria for a 1,500-square-meter (sq m) lot.

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READ: MVP Group inks 25-year Camp John Hay lease, BCDA’s first

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“This is really a vote of confidence from investors coming in after the change of management in Camp John Hay. We are happy and excited that more enterprises are wanting to set up business in Camp John Hay because of the trust they have for BCDA,” BCDA president and chief executive officer Joshua Bingcang said in a statement.

“Our vision for Camp John Hay is to provide enterprises of all sizes an environment where they can all thrive and empower the local community with more employment opportunities,” he added.

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The BCDA said it also signed a lease contract with Top Taste and Trading Inc. for an 800-sq m property in Camp John Hay, hinting at the establishment of a “specialty café.”

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No details yet when these would open so stay tuned!—Alden M. Monzon

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PDIC is sure that your bank savings are safe

Up until now, the Marcos administration’s move to dip its hands into the reserve funds of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC)—the guardian of bank deposits—is still raising eyebrows and keeping some observers worried about the safety of Filipinos’ bank savings.

It may be recalled that the Department of Finance had reallocated around P107 billion in the PDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund to supposedly bankroll spending items that would contribute to economic growth. That move had reduced the Fund—which the PDIC can tap to settle deposit insurance claims—to around P250 billion.

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READ: PDIC to hike bank deposit protection

But as far as PDIC president and CEO Roberto Tan is concerned, this should not cause public alarm, adding that the size of the fund is still “more than enough.”

“The adequacy is more than what the directors targeted for that. So, it’s in good shape. So, I don’t think there’s anything to be alarmed about,” Tan told reporters during the 2025 annual reception for the banking community.

“The banking system right now is very healthy based on financial indicators. So I don’t think there’s anything to worry about,” he added.

While those comments can help soothe anxiety, the public reaction was valid as the situation involved the safety of the hard-earned money of Filipinos should another crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic take everyone by surprise.

For Jose Teodoro Limcaoco, president of the Bankers Association of the Philippines and the Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Islands, the domestic banking industry remains strong.

“Do I think there’s going to be a catastrophic bank failure this year? No,” he said. — Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral

$120,000 grant up for grabs

Are you a startup looking for fresh funding that can catapult your business to new horizons?

PepsiCo, a global food and beverage manufacturer, is searching for innovative startups championing the circular economy, sustainable agriculture, and climate action in Asia Pacific.

PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator Program has opened the applications and will choose 10 finalists who will be awarded a $20,000 grant each. The ultimate winner will receive an additional $100,000.

Apart from the money prize, the finalists will be mentored by PepsiCo executives and business accelerator experts to help bring their business to the next level.

“Applicants benefit not only from mentorship with seasoned professionals but also from direct collaboration with PepsiCo, a global industry leader that drives the program and acts as the end user of their innovations,” said Ashley Brown, chief sustainability officer of PepsiCo in Asia Pacific.

“This provides access to decades of industry expertise, a strong partner network, and valuable insights to refine solutions and shape pilot opportunities,” Brown added.

Interested startups may visit the website at greenhouseaccelerator.com/apac/ to know more about the application process.

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So, what are you waiting for? Prepare your best pitch now. — Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

TAGS: BCDA, Biz Buzz, Business

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