World-renowned Architect Garry Carl S. Froa, chairman of the Grun Architekten International construction Gruppe, Inc.
IT’S been almost two years since the economy took a dive in view of the national health emergency triggered by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Even the super powerful countries absorbed what seemed an inevitable set-back triggered by the economic slump elsewhere in the world – and that includes the Philippines, Bataan Province in particular.
While there are already indications that the worse may have been over, Bataan is undeniably among those provinces which suffered most as development projects which are supposed to kick off last year were all shelved because the national government opted to realign funds to defray the heavy cost of pandemic response.
If there’s any consolation that Bataan may have in its sight, it would be the offer of a Tokyo-based firm to help the economic development of the province. No less than world-renowned Architect Garry Carl S. Froa, chairman of the Grun Architekten International construction Gruppe, Inc., reaffirmed his commitment to bankroll one of the top priorities of the province – the energy sector.
Froa, who spent 16 years in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as an architect hinted at putting up of Waste-to-Energy, Palm Oil and other projects, which have already earned the green light from the members of the Grun’s board of directors in Japan.
Grun Architekten has also tens of billions of pesos worth of infrastructure projects in Doha, Qatar, Bicol and other areas in the country, it was learned. But how serious could Froa be? From how I see it, he is dead serious on his commitment.
In fact, Grun Architekten established its local office in Quezon City to closely supervise its other projects such as refinery, among others. I have to admit. It was my fault when I – in my capacity as provincial consultant of outgoing Bataan Gov. Abet Garcia – made Froa, invest in Bataan rather than Zambales which he initially picked. It came about after a series of meetings and ocular visit we had in the province where I decided to settle many years back.
But what good does it bring to see Froa’s Grun invest in Bataan. For one, the government earns taxes. But more importantly is the jobs it would create alongside with a sustainable project seen to provide a cheaper energy for the local folks.
Froa is a pure-blooded Pinoy who found her soul mate in Japan where he carved his name behind a list of famous skyscrapers and hotels in the richest city of the World.
Before I forget, it is also worth to mention Froa’s business partner Engr. Joel Esparago who found Bataan as the most logical choice to do business – especially with Gov. Garcia’s hospitality embarking on a business-friendly policy.
