Foton to bolster Palawan’s economy

By Charles E. Buban Philippine Daily Inquirer January 23,2019

Palaweños can now look forward to visiting the province’s many exciting tourist destinations and exploring business options using Foton vehicles.

Foton Motor Philippines, Inc. (FMPI) president Rommel Sytin recently led the opening of the brand’s 27th dealership in the country in the booming city of Puerto Princesa in Palawan.

“A vehicle is a rolling symbol of economic prosperity and investment in our communities,” said Sytin.

He adds that the opening of Foton Puerto Princesa last Jan. 17 is very timely with the upcoming projects and vision for the province: “Foton will be a great help, not only in its promotion as a tourist destination, but in providing the best option in vehicles.”

Foton is Asia’s largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles, including passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, heavy duty trucks and heavy machinery.

Located along the stretch of North National Highway in Barangay Tagburos, Puerto Princesa City, the dealership is the first-time automotive venture of Steering Wheel, Inc. (SWI).

Foton Philippines’ Sytin signs the certificate of dealership.

Covering more than 4,600 square meters which includes the vehicle showroom and service area, Foton Puerto Princesa is considered to be one of the Foton dealerships with the largest lot size.

The vehicle showroom can display up to eight units, while its service bays can accommodate 10.

“We, in the local car dealing and transport industry, believe that our business endeavors are here to complement the development pursuits of the city and provincial governments,” said Tederico Tiotangco of SWI, dealer principal of Foton Puerto Princesa.

Present during the inauguration was Palawan governor Jose Alvarez, who lauded the brand’s progress in the city. “Through the years, I saw how Foton has improved its development, and turned into a very nice and heartwarming company. Right now, they are doing very great.”

Big ticket

According to Gov. Alvarez, the widening of the arterial road traversing the entire length of mainland Palawan is due for completion. “The business sector believes that this big ticket project will further boost the economy of Palawan and the thriving local tourism industry.”

At the ribbon cutting ceremony are, from left, Foton Puerto Princesa dealer principal Angela Tiotangco, Foton Asia Pacific general manager Dai Hong Kai, Engr. Tederico Tiotangco, Foton Philippines president Rommel Sytin, Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez, and Foton Puerto Princesa CEO Michelle Tiotangco

Tederico Tiotangco says Foton Puerto Princesa is ready and armed with conviction that “the brand of service that we will provide, shall help in the pursuit of providing a better quality of life for every Palaweño, and eventually, for the entire nation.”

Foton Puerto Princesa CEO Michelle Tiotangco said that the dealership is more than ready to serve and meet the needs for transportation and development through Foton’s wide array of commercial vehicles, and earth-moving equipment.

“As the major distributor of Foton trucks and cars in Palawan, we are opening our doors to every Palaweño who may wish to patronize our products and establish a business relationship with us in the years to come.”

Gov. Alvarez hopes there will be more ventures like this in Palawan because he believes that the business side of the province’s growth can also improve the chances of people to upgrade their lives for the better.

Active supporter

The governor explains that Palawan is actively supporting the current government administration plans in developing roads, bridges and infrastructure under the “Build, Build, Build” program.

“For our part, the province of Palawan facilitates projects aiming to strengthen Philippine tourism trade with partner states in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), a sub-regional economic cooperation initiative which recognizes ‘connectivity as vital for the seamless movement of goods, services and people’,” said Alvarez.

Foton Puerto Princesa CEO Michelle Tiotangco (center foreground) with her team

A few years ago, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) kicked off a P30-billion road-widening project that would expand the two-lane national highway that traverses El Nido town in the north to Bataraza town down south, spanning a total of 600 kilometers across the entire mainland Palawan, to six lanes.

The road expansion projectwould also speed up the movement of agricultural and fishery products from the rural communities across the province.

Going beyond

Known as the eminent capital of Palawan, Puerto Princesa City is also going beyond being one of the best tourist destinations in the world, as it gears toward becoming an investment destination with more firms beginning to take notice of the opportunities that the city has to offer.

In response to the growing number of heavy-duty trucks in the city due to the increase in infrastructure projects, Foton Puerto Princesa also opened a service facility specially designed to provide comprehensive support for their product lineup.

Gov. Alvarez (center) joins a photo-op after the signing of the dealership agreement by dealer principals Angela Tiotangco, Bella Tiotangco, and Engr. Tederico Tiotangco; Foton Philippines presdient Rommel Sytin, Foton Asia Pacific general manager Dai Hong Kai, and Foton Puerto Princesa CEO Michelle Tiotangco.

This provides the option of having not only passenger vehicles and light duty trucks, but also heavy-duty truck models repaired and maintained at a dedicated service center, explains Sytin and Tiotangco.

Previously, the servicing of these types of trucks had to be conducted at clients’ respective premises.

Foton Puerto Princesa, Palawan is open from Sunday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call (0917) 775-7823 or (0917) 775-7803 for inquiries.

Foton Philippines may be reached through (02) 459-2121 and (0999) 999-9998; or leave a message on www.foton.com.ph and www.facebook.com/FOTONPhilippines.

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