SM City Dagupan

IS Dagupan City opening its doors to SM, the biggest chain of malls in the country?

Mayor Benjamin Lim has confirmed that he has had talks with SM retail group president and director Hans T. Sy, who expressed interest in locating in Barangay Tambac here.

“I welcome them for as long as they comply with the rules and regulations for them to acquire a business permit here,” Lim said.

However, Lim admitted that SM’s target location falls under the category of a fishpond, an issue that the mayor himself has been rallying against, particularly the conversion of fishponds into commercial lots.

The mayor earlier rejected the application for the construction of a luxury hotel in Barangay Lucao by the family of Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez invoking a city ordinance that prohibits commercial development in identified agricultural areas.

Lim said he has urged Sy to submit a development plan for the city government’s approved and endorsement by the Sangguniang Panglunsod.

“I will recommend to the SP to conduct a public hearing para doon sa maapektuhang sektor sa lungsod, especially the retailers and the market vendors who will be the first one to be affected.” he said.

He added “SM will have to go through the process and we will evaluate the recommendation of the Sanggunian to the mayor’s office.”Lim stressed that the talk between him and Sy is not yet “a done deal.”

Lim said one of the considerations that the city government will look into is the income from taxes that SM can bring into Dagupan.

SM is currently operating a branch in Rosales town.

Source: http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2010/09/12/sm-eyes-dagupan-as-2nd-branch/

Benjie Lim lauds "Bangus Festival", set to lead festival in 2011 as Dagupan mayor

Describing the Bangus Festival as Dagupeños' institutional contribution to the country's and province's tourism program, former Dagupan City Mayor Benjamin S. Lim congratulated the organizers for continuing one of the major and most exciting festivals in the Philippines.

Known as the father and founder of the Bangus Festival, Lim recalled that it was conceptualized in August 2001 during his year as city mayor and launched in 2002 as part of the annual Pista'y Dayat celebration.

The Bangus Festival was borne out of careful planning and tedious preparations, said Lim.

Harnessing his marketing and managerial skills, Lim made the Bangus Festival a global phenomenon when it earned the Guinness Book of record as the World's the Longest Barbecue Grill first in May 2003, thus earning for Dagupan the title "Bangus Capital of the World."

"Looking back, it was one of the shining moments of Dagupenos and the Bangus Festival united and made proud our citymates and even provincemates that all but restored and reborn civic pride," Lim said.

Asked about his mayoralty bid against incumbent Mayor Al Fernandez, Lim said, "it was common knowledge that I was enjoying myself as a private citizen after the May 2007 elections but due to the strong clamor of the Dagupeños, I have eventually accepted the challenge to go back to public service."

Known for his no-nonsense style of governance and managing the city that restored cleanliness, traffic, orderliness and discipline, Lim said that it's about time to stand up and be counted.

"It's up for the people of Dagupan to decide whom they want to be their next mayor — someone who will govern and lead 24 hours a day, seven days a week and not relegate major responsibilities to a proxy be cause Dagupeños deserve no less than full time and hardworking mayor," he said.

Judging from the warm reception and the avalanche of leaders, volunteers and supporters to his mayoralty bid, Lim is confident to regain his old seat as city mayor.

Asked about the latest survey results commissioned by his camp, he said that he is elated over the trend showing him steadily ahead of his rival even in initial surveys but added that he is not lowering his guard knowing fully well that he is up against a veteran political warrior.

"It will be destiny if that happens and it will also showcase the political maturity of Dagupeños," said Lim who has distinguished himself in local politics as an "outsider" who has broken the ceiling of established political clans that ruled the city and the district for many decades.

Source: http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2010/05/01/benjie-lim-lauds-bangus-festival-set-to-lead-festival-in-2011-as-dagupan-mayor/