RLC opening more malls in provinces

MANILA, Philippines - Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) is expanding its presence by opening 10 new malls in the next two years in provincial areas.

Speaking at the 4th Asia Pacific Real Estate Investment Summit Philippines held yesterday, Lourdes Alano, vice president for lease at RLC, said the company is set to open five new malls and complete the expansion of two malls next year.

“We’re opening five next year but we’re currently doing expansion of two existing malls so they’re all scheduled to be opening next year,” she said.

The new malls will be located in Tagum in Davao, Jaro in Iloilo, Iligan in Lanao del Norte, Cebu and General Trias in Cavite.

The two malls undergoing expansion are located in Ilocos Norte and Tacloban in Leyte.

For 2017, Alano said RLC would open another five new malls.

The locations being considered for the new malls are Ormoc in Leyte, Tuguegarao in Cagayan Valley, Naga, Valencia in Bukidnon and Kabankalan in Negros Occidental.

Alano said RLC is likewise looking at other locations such as Cabanatuan in Nueva Ecija, Calbayog in Samar, Abucay in Leyte and Pavia in Iloilo.

RLC has set its sights on provincial areas given strong competition in Metro Manila.

“There’s a challenge already in acquiring big parcels here in Metro Manila,” she said.

She said that provincial sites offer opportunities for the real estate company to grow as many of these areas still do not have malls.

“These are greenfield areas. Like in Tacloban, the only mall in town before was Gaisano. We were the second big player in Tacloban. It’s a greenfield market. It has proven to be successful. All the demographics have shown positive signs,” she said.

Incorporated in 1980, RLC is the property development arm of JG Summit Holdings Inc.

The company is involved in the development and operation of shopping malls and hotels, mixed-use properties, office buildings, residential condominiums, as well as land and residential housing developments.