Quezon City 1st District Rep. Arjo Atayde speaks during the Chinese New Year celebrations held on Banawe Street together with Mayor Joy Belmonte, Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, and business chambers’ association leaders. Photo from Rep. Atayde’s office
MANILA, Philippines — Business will further thrive along Banawe Street and its vicinity – collectively, Quezon City’s Chinatown – since it was declared as a Tourism District.
This was the forecast of Quezon City 1st District Rep. Arjo Atayde, as he lauded city officials before him for making the “great initiative.”
Quezon City’s Chinatown comprises parts of Barangays Manresa, Santo Domingo, Lourdes, Doña Josefa, Maharlika, N.S. Amoranto, Paang Bundok, St. Peter, Salvacion, San Isidro Labrador, Sta. Teresa, Siena, and Tatalon where Banawe Street traverses.
In 2015, Mayor Joy Belmonte signed City Ordinance No. 2453 declaring the whole of Quezon City’s Chinatown as a Tourism District.
“My city, my mayor, and my colleagues are for it — and I’m simply for it too, to firmly establish the Banawe area as Quezon City’s Chinatown because we believe in the next few months and years to come to the entire district and our entire city will benefit with this great initiative,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
According to the neophyte lawmaker, businesses and establishments in Banawe Street and its adjacent areas have given Filipinos good job opportunities over the years — which may be boosted even more by the Tourism District declaration.
Banawe has been known as a haven for car enthusiasts looking for spare, original, and rare car parts. In recent years, however, it has evolved into an area popular for delicious Chinese food.
READ: Another authentic Chinese resto in Banawe
Atayde also expressed optimism that this year will bring good luck to Quezon City’s Chinatown as the year 2023 – Year of the Water Rabbit.
The Year of the Rabbit, he said, offers “peaceful and patient energy, while the water element suggests tapping into inner wisdom and trusting instincts.”
“Combined, the Water Rabbit indicates focusing on relationships, diplomacy, and building bridges,” Atayde said. “The timing of the celebration and the declaration of Banawe area as Quezon City’s Chinatown is the product of relationships, diplomacy, and building bridges.”
“On behalf of my constituents, I would also like to thank the City Government led by our outstanding Mayor Joy Belmonte for making this happen — not only for Banawe but for the entire Quezon City,” he added.
Atayde attended the Chinese New Year celebrations held on Banawe Street together with Belmonte, Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, and business chambers’ association leaders.
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