EVA C. VISPERAS
Dagupan’s growing business confidence
BY all appearances, Dagupan City has never stopped moving.
From the groundbreaking ceremony I had the privilege to attend years ago, to the daily sight of cranes, workers, and heavy equipment steadily transforming a once-quiet stretch in Lucao, the message is unmistakable: investors believe in Dagupan. And they are proving that belief not with words, but with millions — and in many cases, billions — of pesos in long-term commitments.
Take the recent investment of Filinvest Land, Inc.. For a company of its stature — publicly listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange, with more than five decades of experience and projects across the country — to pour substantial capital into Dagupan is not a casual decision. It is the product of feasibility studies, risk assessments, demographic analysis, and long-term projections. Corporations like Filinvest do not gamble. They calculate.
And what they see in Dagupan is not merely land or location. They see momentum.
Dagupan, long known as the Bangus Capital of the Philippines, has evolved far beyond its aquaculture fame. It remains the beating heart of trade and commerce in Pangasinan. Day in and day out, residents from neighboring towns flow into the city — to bank, to study, to seek medical services, to shop, to transact business. The economic pulse is steady and unmistakable.
Despite the odds — and yes, despite nature’s recurring tests through flooding and other environmental challenges — investors continue to come. Some open new stores quietly. Others expand existing businesses. Local entrepreneurs upgrade their facilities. National brands secure strategic spaces. Small business owners lease modest units with hope in their eyes. The scale may differ, but the sentiment is the same: confidence.
It is easy for self-styled commentators and perennial critics to focus on shortcomings. Cities, after all, are imperfect organisms. Infrastructure gaps exist. Environmental concerns demand solutions. Governance is always a work in progress. But capital is pragmatic. Money moves where it feels reasonably secure, where systems function, where leadership opens doors instead of closing them.
When investors — big and small — choose Dagupan, they are responding to something deeper than surface impressions. They are responding to an ecosystem that, despite challenges, continues to function as a regional hub. They are responding to consumer strength, population density, purchasing power, and strategic positioning along Northern Luzon’s key road networks. They are responding to a city that refuses to stagnate.
Filinvest’s executives have publicly described Dagupan as a regional center with “real momentum.” That phrase deserves reflection. Momentum means movement.
But Filinvest is only one part of a much larger narrative.
Banks continue to expand their branches. Retail chains refurbish and enlarge their spaces. Educational institutions modernize their campuses. Healthcare facilities upgrade equipment and services. Food establishments multiply, catering to an increasingly diverse and discerning market. Even local start-ups and family-owned enterprises are investing in renovations, digital systems, and improved customer experiences.
These are not isolated events. They are indicators.
A healthy business climate is not accidental — it is cultivated. It requires leadership that balances regulation with facilitation. Investors seek order, predictability, and fair, efficient processes. When they feel secure — both physically and institutionally — trust grows, and capital follows.
The flow of investments into Dagupan reflects governance. Business confidence is a silent but true measure of leadership — investors respond to results, not rhetoric. Efficient permits, better infrastructure, and open government-business dialogue signal a city worth investing in.
Progress is not about ignoring challenges. It is about confronting them while moving forward. Dagupan’s history shows resilience — from rebuilding after floods to adapting to shifting economic patterns. Resilience, combined with strategic planning and investor partnership, becomes a powerful formula for sustainable growth.
Dagupan remains, at its core, the heart and soul of trade and commerce in Pangasinan.
Progress demands courage — from leaders who must make difficult decisions, from investors who commit resources, and from citizens who choose optimism over cynicism.
At the end of the day, steel structures and business permits tell a clearer story than online commentary ever could. The steady stream of investments into Dagupan is not accidental. It is a vote of confidence.
And confidence, once earned, is the strongest foundation any city can build upon.