Developer invests P.5B for countryside projects

CEBU, Philippines - One of the largest residential developers in Cebu, Primary Homes Incorporated, is investing half a billion pesos for residential developments on the countryside, starting in Argao.

In addition to its house and lot offer at the 2.9 hectare Royal Palms development, the company recently introduced the Tropical Flats --  a beachfront walk-up condominium.

"Cebu is ready for a vacation destination like Tagaytay and Baguio," said Ramiro Espina, PHI  vice-president for sales and marketing .

According to Espina the company is responding to the expanding residential demand, which is now going outside the metropolis area.

A residential project catering to retirees, expats and locals who are looking for affordable vacation homes, Espina said this is just the start of the company's plan to develop the Cebu province as vacation or second home destination.

PHI owns a four-hectare property in Argao, and it plans to expand the development immediately after the two projects are successful.

Espina said the walk-up condominiums similar to their Banawa project in Cebu City proved to be a hit among buyers, which is why they duplicated the concept in their Argao development.

Tropical Flats will be known as “beachfront walk-ups” or “vacation condos.”

The Tropical Flats is a three-cluster, three-level condo project with a total of 36 units. There will be 12 units per floor. It will offer studio and one-bedroom condo units, with sizes from 22 square meters (sq.m.) to 34 sq.m. Each unit will have its own parking space.

The condo unit’s price starts at P1.4 million. The project is expected to be completed by the last quarter of 2016.

Residents at Tropical Flats and the Argao Royal Palms will have shared amenities like an infinity pool, clubhouse, aqua golf driving range and manicured gardens. The project is managed by an ISO-certified property management team.

PHI is also at the forefront of promoting the rich heritage and culture in the Southern route.

“Argao is the gateway to heritage sites and eco-tourism sites in the southern part of Cebu," Espina said.

Among the nearby tourism sites in Argao include Kawasan Falls, Moalboal diving spots, Oslob whale-watching, the Simala shrine in Sibonga and Cebu’s vegetable basket in Dalaguete, which are now gaining popularity among local and foreign tourists.

Espina reiterates that the company will soon introduce more residential projects specifically beachfront condominium in the next few years. (FREEMAN)