Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte had unveiled plans for the development of the Banawe area in QC, now the country’s biggest Chinatown , into a major city tourism district.
QC’s Chinatown covers a total area shared by seven big barangays, namely, Lourdes , Siena , St. Peter, Manresa , Sto. Domingo, Tatalon and Doña Josefa.
To date, there is already a pending measure in the QC Council providing for such move, the Vice Mayor said.
“What the city government will be doing is to transform the Banawe area into an attractive and convenient destination for tourists and trade investments, as well,” said both Mayor Bautista and Vice Mayor Belmonte.
“Let us support this program for this will surely strengthen the Filipino–Chinese business relations in Quezon City ,” the Mayor said.
Vice Mayor Belmonte, who also sits as officer-in-charge of the city’s tourism department, said the city government is expected to provide the necessary funding requirements to support the development of the Banawe area, which to date, has been classified as a major commercial zone under the city’s comprehensive zoning ordinance,
As part of the city’s plan, the Banawe area shall be included in the list of must-see tourist destinations for QC visitors and guests, said the Vice Mayor.
The development of Banawe Street as a special economic growth area is provided under Ordinance 1573. The vicinity traversed by Banawe Avenue from E. Rodriguez to Sgt. E. Rivera has been declared as Banawe special economic growth area.
Meanwhile, QC’s lunar year festivities, hosted by the QC government in partnership with the QC Association of Filipino-Chinese Businessmen, Inc and the Chinatown Development Foundation, Inc. featured fireworks display, lion and dragon dance, cultural and musical performances and Feng Shui forecasts, that highlighted the colorful and diverse Chinese culture.
As an added treat, food establishments located in the city’s Chinatown District also offered special discounts and promos during the festivity, which also forms part of QC’s continuing celebration of its diamond jubilee anniversary.
Chinese consul general Qiu Jian was among those present during the festivities.
Posted By: Edrillan Pasion
