Developer opens organic farm in Balamban project

CEBU, Philippines - Residential developer Syntech Properties, Inc. joins Cebu’s efforts in pushing eco-tourism as one of Cebu’s edge through the opening of its four-hectare organic farm. Located at the 37-hectare property up in the western part of Cebu in Balamban, Syntech has allocated at least four-hectare of the total property, transforming it as one of the largest certified organic farms in Cebu.

 In a press conference, Syntech Properties senior sales consultant Anita Blanco said that the company has already coordinated with the Cebu Provincial government through Vice Governor Agnes Magpale to include the Amonsagana Organic Farm as one of the eco-tourism attractions on the hilly lands of Cebu.

Amonsagana, a 37-hectare upscale residential masterplan targeted to draw the attention of the active local and foreign retiree markets, recently broke ground to start the residential development. At the same time, the company is perfecting its organic farm feature to promote healthy lifestyle.

 Blanco said as the company introduces its new project to prospective buyers, it is also promoting healthy living and wellness.

This coming April, the Amonsagana Organic Farm will host over 200 tourists to visit the farm as part of the stopover of the Western trip of the Suroy-Suroy sa Sugbo program.

 The farm will introduce the "Pick and Pay" activity in the farm, wherein visitors could pick their own choice of organic produce such as crops, fruits, ornaments, vegetables, herbs, among others.

 Early this month, the company held a promotional blitz dubbed "Balik-Suroy Sinulog" during the Sinulog Festival Week, an event that encouraged people to embrace the healthy lifestyle by eating organically-grown food, plant how to grow organic garden at home, the importance of being "organic" in the generation where chemically-induced food preparations (meals), fruits, vegetables, livestock, and others has become a norm.

 Blanco said that the main thrust of the project is not just to add to the existing choice of residential real estate products in Cebu, but helping the communities to be more educated and appreciate the positive impact of green living.

Amonsagana is master planned as a premier class retirement village community with subdivided residential lots, road networks, parks, gardens, nature trails, ponds, preservation areas and a host of amenities, covering a total area of 32 hectares (320,000 square meters).

The project will be developed in four phases wherein each phase is named after the four basic elements of nature – Saga Tierra (Earth), Saga Lluvia (Water), Saga Viento (Wind/Air) and Saga Solare (Sun/Fire).

 Green Architect, Master Planner and Environment Planner Maria Lourdes “Joy” Martinez Onozawa is commissioned to design the entire green concept of Amonsagana Retirement Village project.

 The development will emphasize green technology in its entire development and will also be tapping the local farmers to manage its organic farm. (FREEMAN)