Firm to develop lot at Cebu I.T. Park

CEBU, Philippines - With the aim to strengthen Cebu as a premier investment destination, Ayala Land Cebu will venture in another project with its proposed “mixed used development” of Block No. 10 of the Cebu I.T. Park.

Dindo Fernando, assistant vice president of the company’s external affairs, in their first meeting with the Office of the Building Officials, said they will strictly comply with the city’s rules pertaining to the construction and operation of the desired structures in the area.

“We intend to put up a number of structures that will strengthen Cebu’s position as a premier investment destination of the country,” he said.

Block 10 is located a block away across The Walk and currently has existing parking spaces, which, Fernando assured, will stay even after the project is finished.

“Right now, there is a parking area in Block 10, but we are building several levels of underground parking that will multiply the number of available slots,” he assured.

After complying with OBO’s requirements and finalizing their plan, the company will already start the excavation for the project first quarter next year.

Included in the proposal are a four-storey mall that will house four movie houses, a 10 to 15-storey hotel, and a couple of towers for business process outsourcing companies which are expected to have 15 to 20 floors.

The company is also considering building a convention center that can hold a large number of people with Cebu being the convention capital of the Philippines, Fernando said.

The company official said hiring of workers will prioritize the residents of their host barangays.

According to Cebu City Engineer Jose Marie Poblete, the City Council is also pushing for a legislation that encourages the hiring of local residents for government projects. He said he plans to push for a provision that would call on private companies to do the same.

“Dako ni siya og tabang. In fact, 20% (local hiring) is just a small number ra man gani,” said Poblete.

However, the qualities of the applicants should also match with the requirements the company has set, he emphasized.

The project is estimated to cost around five to six billion pesos and is expected to generate 15,000 to 20,000 job opportunities. — Glenda Tapang, USJ-R MassComm Intern/NSA (FREEMAN)