NEWS

Manny Villar aims to have Camella Homes in every city in PH

by Cathy Rose A. Garcia, ABS-CBNnews.com

Posted at 07/17/2013 11:09 AM | Updated as of 07/18/2013 1:09 PM

MANILA, Philippines - After his stint at the Senate, Manuel B. Villar is now focusing on expanding his real estate business.
In an interview on ANC's Beyond Politics, Villar said he wants his company Vista Land & Lifescapes to reap the benefits of economic growth under President Benigno Aquino, who beat him in the 2010 presidential elections.
"We will continue expanding our present line...We would be aggressive... We're going through an economic boom and we want to take advantage of this," he said.
Villar is chairman of Vista Land, one of the country's biggest property developers. Vista Land is the holding company of five units: Brittany, Crown Asia, Camella Homes, Communities Philippines and Vista Residences.
His family also owns StarMalls Inc. and the Finds chain of convenience stores.
His goal right now is for Vista Land to have a presence in every major city and municipality in the country.
"We want to have a Camella Homes in every major city and municipality nationwide... We're putting up malls where there are big Camella Home communities," he said.
Villar said he started spending more time on his business after losing in the 2010 elections.
"We have been expanding since 2010. It was after elections so syempre, I began to spend more time in business, para lang makalimot sa elections," he said.
While the former Senator is returning to Vista Land, this doesn't mean his son Paolo, who is president and CEO, will take a backseat in the company's operations.
"Paolo will remain as president and CEO. My role would be that of chairman and strategist," he said, noting they have good teamwork.
Asked about the economy, Villar said it is important for the country to take advantage of its investment grade status. The Philippines still lags behind its neighbors in attracting foreign investment.
"Okay na investment grade ka but kailangan ma-convert ito into actual investments. But at least now we have a chance. Going forward, I think we're okay," he said.
But Villar noted the government should accelerate its infrastructure projects to create more jobs.
"If bibilis lang tayo sa infrastructure, we can create more employment. Tweak lang konti... We know this government is honest, so malaking bagay yan sa investors," he added.