By James A. Loyola
The Villar family, led by Filipino taipan Manuel B. Villar, is seriously looking at investments in telecommunications, gaming, and infrastructure as they are bullish about the Philippine economy.
“We’re very optimistic about the Philippines. We’re going to put money where our mouth is. We are expecting growth,” said Vista Land and Lifescapes President Manuel Paolo Villar in an interview.
He stressed that these planned investmets will not be made through Vista Land but will be undertaken by the Villar family as separate ventures — possibly with strategic partners.
“Definitely our family is looking seriously at gaming. In Dasmariñas. The family will probably do something in that area,” said Villar.
He explained that they are entering the gaming industry because of its bright prospects noting that, “for responsible gaming, there’s a market for that and the Villar family has real estate assets. It’s good for the country…its a solid business.”
Meanwhile, Villar said that, “like gaming, we’re looking seriously at telecommunications. I can’t disclose anything right now. We’re obviously looking at partners to do certain things. The family is looking seriously at getting involved in telco.”
He said their planned involvement in the telecommunications industry will be on a nationwide scale. “We have a plan. I imagine we will have a partner. Partners. If we get into it, which we are seriously looking at,” said Villar.
Villar noted that, for both telco and gaming, the Villars’ access to land is a key. “On the telecom side, we do have a lot of areas in the Philippines that we are developing. In telecom, we needed infrastructure. We’re looking seriously at it, what the form is, I can’t comment on that,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said “we’re looking at infra definitely. We’re very interested at getting involved. But we’re not interested in tollroads.”
“We are attempting to get involved right now,” said Villar adding that they are open to airports or power projects. He said the Villar family intends to submit some unsolicited proposals.