BIZ BUZZ: AirAsia Philippines names new CEO
Personnel changes at the highest levels in the local aviation sector are not yet over.
This, as a new CEO is set to take over the captain’s seat at AirAsia Philippines.
The new man taking over the top post is the Malaysian national Capt. Suresh Bangah, a seasoned aviation leader with over two decades of airline experience and over 14 years in senior leadership roles.
Suresh is an old hand at AirAsia, starting there in 2003 as a First Officer.
He steadily climbed the ranks and had served as the group director of flight operations at AirAsia Aviation Group Limited.
As he steps into this new role at the local unit of the World’s best low-cost airline, he will work closely with former CEO Ricky Isla, who will continue to support the company as chief advisor to the CEO.
Biz Buzz sources say that Bangah is the easy and logical choice for the bigger role, not only because of his vast experience, but also his unwavering commitment to AirAsia, and more importantly, his vision to propel the continued growth of AirAsia Philippines. —Tina Arceo-Dumlao
Big pharma’s new playground
The country’s newest economic zone is ready to pop, and it’s not your average industrial park.
Set to be launched on Wednesday this week, the Victoria Industrial Park is eyeing the title of the Philippines’ first pharmaceutical-focused economic zone, a 30-hectare “prescription for progress” that promises to cure the common headaches of doing business in the health and life sciences sector.
Accredited by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza), this hub is designed to cater to high-potential industries, with a special emphasis on the health and life sciences space.
Strategically located beside the first exit of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX), the Victoria Industrial Park offers easy access for investors and businesses, putting it at the crossroads of a rapidly growing logistical corridor.
And here’s another real game-changer: It will have an on-site Food and Drug Administration (FDA) office, offering what insiders are calling “regulatory express.”
The setup is designed to slash processing times, cut through red tape, and streamline compliance — a major win for pharmaceutical firms and other future locators that often spend months chasing approvals.
And behind this ambitious project is Greenstone Pharmaceutical HK, Inc., the company best known for its popular oil liniment and ointment brand Katinko.
Known for its local market reach and commitment to healthcare, Greenstone is bringing its expertise in the pharmaceutical industry to the development of this cutting-edge industrial hub.
With the country racing to modernize its manufacturing capabilities, Victoria Industrial Park could become a launchpad for innovation, attracting investors eager to make, test, and distribute products faster and more efficiently.
While no anchor tenants have been officially named, the zone’s developers are betting big that its built-in regulatory advantage will draw serious attention, not just from pharma giants, but also from companies in biotech, health tech, and high-value manufacturing. -Alden M. Monzon
