Mayor: Rota trade trip promising

“We made significant progress to bring business to Rota,” said Rota Mayor Benjamin T. Manglona.

Mr. Manglona just completed a one-week trade and investment trip to Japan along with Rota Senators Edward U. Maratita and Ricardo S. Atalig, Municipal Council Chair Abraham M. Ogo, and former Council Vice Chair Steve K. Mesngon.

“We signed an MOU with the Unkai Company where the beverage company committed to construct a Shochu plant in Rota within one to two years,” said the mayor. “Unkai’s president, vice president and other resource personnel from the company will be in Rota in May or June to advance plans and firm up specific steps.”

According to the mayor of the island municipality, Unkai will start with a Rota beer brewing operation, and construction and operation of the brewery may start before the first of the year. He added the Japan firm hopes to market other beverage lines, including Shochu, in two year’s time.

“We encourage the company to use locally grown produce in their products. This will benefit our farmers,” said Mayor Manglona.

“W’e’re now very close to a major business start for Rota. By our personal appearance in Japan, we were able to clear away many of Unkai’s concerns.”

A byproduct of shochu production can be used as feeds for cattle and swine.

“I think there’s also a good chance we could use the byproduct of the distillery business to start a major piggery in Rota,” said the Mayor.

While in Japan, the mayor also met with Dr. Yaggu, a prominent Japanese businessman and friend of Rota and the Commonwealth, and also discussed plans to set up a bank and develop fishery industry and a retirement home.

On this same trade and investment trip the mayor met with representatives of the Pau Pau Hotel. The hotel closed its Rota operation about a year ago.

“Within the month we can look for an offer from the Pau Pau people to make this property available for other businesses, particularly we have in mind a wellness center, a college campus. or dormitory space,” said Mr. Manglona.

“We look for a flexible arrangement with the Pau Pau so that the municipality might have many options to promote, market, or use this valuable property for the good of our people.”

“Overall, this was a very good trip,” said the Mayor. “We have the Unkai Company on their way to Rota with a beer brewing and shochu plan and we have a good chance to turn the Pau Pau property around for mutual benefit.”