Hans Sy, son of billionaire Henry Sy, who has been named the country’s richest man, said Bacolod City is one of the areas in the Philippines they are eyeing to put up a university.

“We have plans to build about 10 schools in 15 years,”Hans Sy said during a brief interview with the local media.

Although Bacolod is one of the areas where they will be putting up the school project, Sy said he cannot really say if it is going to be among the first few.

However, there are many things that they still have to fix up before they can go full blast in expanding the schools, he said.

“One of the biggest problems which we have to hurdle is a lack of faculty or professors in the Philippines so we have to focus on training more teachers first,”Sy said.

The building of schools is one of the reasons why Sy stepped down as president of the SM Prime Holdings Inc., the country’s largest mall operator, he said.

He said he wants to focus on the expansion of the schools, which is also in line with his father’s advocacy in giving opportunities to study to the masses.

Also, Sy said, they will do a study on the expansion of the south wing of SM City Bacolod.

They are also focusing on expansion of the malls and hotels, especially in Mindanao area.

ADOPTED AND HONORARY MAYOR

The SangguniangPanlungsod of Bacolod approved unanimously the resolution naming Henry Sy Sr. as Adopted Son of the city, on Jan. 6, 2017.

In Executive Order Number 1 that Bacolod Mayor EvelioLeonardia signed, he noted that the celebration of the Chinese New Year will have added meaning and significance with the recognition of achievements, endeavors and contributions of Sy Sr.

Sy Sr. is the epitome of success despite adversities and humble beginnings, and whose life story is a shining example for all Filipinos to emulate in order to achieve a better quality of life, the EO said.

Hans Sy, who represented his father in the conferment rites at the Bacolod Government Center, Saturday, said it was really an honor to be given the status of an adopted son and honorary mayor.

Bacolod is the first city in the Philippines to have done this for his father, and it is heartwarming,Sy said.

“Whatever he (his father) hascontributed to our country mayserve as an inspiration to many, to dream, to persevere, to work hard, to stay simple and humble, and to make a difference in the lives of others,” the younger Sy said.

Sy, his wife Carol, daughter Hannah Carina, and his team were welcomed by the BacoLaodiat dancers at the BGC lobby, before they proceeded to the SangguniangPanlungsod session hall for the conferment on Henry Sy Sr. of the honor of adopted son of Bacolod.

Leonardia then signed the executive order conferringon Sy Sr. the status of Honorary Mayor for the whole Year of the Rooster at Mayor’s Office.

The younger Sy also did the ceremonial signing of document witnessed by Leonardia, first lady Elsa Leonardia, members of the BacoLaodiat Inc. Board, members of the city council, and the City Hall Press Corps.*SGG