Investor optimistic with Bohol investments

CEBU, Philippines - JC Armamento Development Incorporated (JCAD) President and Chief Executive Officer Arniel “Joseph” Armamento said that he sees the potential of Bohol for growth and development particularly eyeing the wonders of Bien Unido.

With their current 4.7 hectare project with 320 houses in it called Bethlehem Garden Homes in Tagbilaran City, he added that it would be possible property prices will go up 10-15 % by the end of this year given the fact that there is a growing number of prospective buyers. In that same project, for instance, JCAD had 80% of sales with 225 units sold within one year. 

He further noted that aside from investing in Tagbilaran, the northern part of Bohol is a strategic development since Bien Unido is closer from Cebu compared to Tagbilaran.

Armamento said that they are planning to open a new gateway in the province of Bohol for tourism that will take one hour using a fastcraft from Pier 1 to Port Getafe and 25 minute-land trip to Bien Unido.

Last July 2011, they also conducted the groundbreaking of the Bohol Yacht Club with Vice President Jejomar Binay and this month, the club is now operational with its pre-launching of its infinity pool, ten available room accommodations, restaurant and a band every night. With 50% of its construction phase, they are currently developing island hopping packages and countryside tours for guests in Bien Unido, he said.

Bullish with their investment in Bohol, Armamento added that there’s a lot of things going on in Bien Unido including the plans of connecting Mactan and Bien Unido in 10-15 minutes through Cheyenne Air, 24-million peso dive site rehabilitation considered to be the home of double-barrier reef in Asia, and the development of its housing project called Villa Esperanza.

With the joint venture of the local government and JCAD, Bien Unido Mayor Niño Rey Boniel said that the installment of underwater religious grottos of Virgin Mary and a 14-feet statue of Sto. Niño had prevented dynamite fishing occurring in the dive sites and had generated an alternative livelihood in the tourism industry for those fishermen.

“It’s not just to attract investors and tourists. But the main purpose of those underwater statues is to remind people of God’s gift of nature and no one can desert that gift,” he stated during the 888 News Forum at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.

Inspired with the Florida Air Park and to be the first in Asia, he added that they are also working out on a development of a fly-in village to be called Bien Unido Air Park  with a 1.2-kilometer runway that will house pilots and hubbies of airplanes located there.

The municipality is also busy with its economic activities by exporting seaweeds since Bien Unido is referred as the “seaweed capital of the Philippines” producing 300, 000 tons of seaweed per year.

Boniel said that the Chinese market is promising since they are exporting their products to Siamen China and now, Bien Unido Women’s Association led by his mom offers innovative products to visitors such as seaweed juice and seaweed spaghetti.

Meanwhile, National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS) chairman emeritus Bobby Joseph suggested the production of branded crispy seaweed instead of just exporting and the construction of a bridge that will connect Cebu and Bohol creating millions of businesses and developing more economic activities. (FREEMAN)