Robinsons Land opens malls in Roxas, Santiago cities

MANILA, Philippines - Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC), the property development arm of the Gokongwei family, is expanding its shopping mall portfolio in Cagayan Valley and the Western Visayas region.

In a disclosure, to the stock exchange, RLC said it is opening two full-service malls in February: Robinsons Place Roxas in the Visayas and Robinsons Place Santiago in Northern Luzon, increasing the mall’s network to 37 nationwide.

Arlene Magtibay, senior vice president and general manager of RLC’s commercial centers division, said Robinsons Roxas in Capiz will start operations on Feb. 13 while Robinsons Santiago in Isabela will welcome shoppers on Feb. 19.

“RLC continues to strengthen its presence in the Visayas-Mindanao regions where it now operates 11 shopping malls (excluding Roxas),” she said.

The property firm also owns seven shopping malls in Northern Luzon.

“The two malls are strategically located near major routes and road infrastructures and are thus easily accessible to both private vehicles and public transportation,” Magtibay said.

RLC said it has positioned the new shopping malls for local businessmen that have diversified into the retail and restaurant businesses.

“Even before they have opened their doors to the public, we are happy to announce that both malls are already 99-percent leased out due to strong interest from both local and nationwide retailers and restaurant chains,” Magtibay said.

Robinsons Roxas forms part of the first mixed-use development in Panay: the 300-hectare Pueblo de Panay that includes two residential subdivisions, a convention center, resort and hotel, and a pre-school.

The two-level Robinsons Place Roxas mall has a gross floor area of 37,400 square meters (sqm) and a gross leasable area of more than 23,000 sqm. The firm also targets residents from the nearby provinces of Iloilo and Antique.

Robinsons Place Santiago, meanwhile, is taking advantage of the booming business climate in Santiago City in Isabela and nearby areas.

The three-level mall is designed to have a gross floor area of around 40,000 sqm. and a gross leasable area of approximately 26,000 sqm.

“Both malls will bring the shopping experiences offered by anchor tenants Robinsons Department Store, Robinsons Supermarket, Daiso Japan, and Robinsons Appliances,” RLC said.

For the entertainment segment, both shopping centers will offer 3D cinemas and food courts that will give shoppers a variety of dining options.

In December, RLC launched its 35th shopping mall in the country with the opening of the four-story Robinsons Place Malolos.