by JMD Abangan

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte (15 February) -- Among other tasks and fortunes, former chair of the Regional Development Council (RDC) XI and business magnate, Jesus V. Ayala has left his son the duty to help build Tagum City.

In his speech during the new Tagum City Hall ground-breaking ceremony, Ayala of the JVA Group of Companies said he is asking his son to "make sure to help build Tagum."

He hoped his words will not be forgotten by his family particularly by his son Miguel M. Ayala, the chief executive officer (CEO) of JVA Group of Companies.

Ayala has donated a 15-hectare lot out of his 40-hectare property in Barangay Apokon this city for the construction of the new Tagum City Hall.

Sort of ploughing back to the place where he first settled, Ayala said "you really have the 'thank you' of my family and also from me."

Noting Tagum as a place of sentimental value for him, Ayala said he first arrived here 40 years ago in 1968.

Memories flowed back to him as he came yesterday to visit Tagum. "When I came to this place, it was nothing. It was dusty; there was not even a car; everybody knows everyone," he said.

He appreciated the way Tagum has developed and gave credits to people behind its progress especially Mayor Uy whom he recalled as a "small boy" then during his stay in Barangay Madaum.

"There were a lot of small boys whom I knew then, who are now the moving spirits of Tagum City," he said.

Thanking the Ayala's in behalf of the City Government, Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy received the donation as a "Valentine's gift."

Meanwhile, in a separate interview, the young Ayala CEO of JVA said his family is looking at developing the rest of its property into a business venture that would complement with the rise of the new Tagum City Hall.

"We are waiting for the completion of the city hall. We are studying how we could complement (with its operation)," he said.