P500 million hospi-condotel to rise in Moalboal

CEBU, Philippines — A P500 million hospi-condotel will rise in Moalboal in three years.

To be called “Alavan Epic City,” the four-hectare property development will be the first facility by far in Cebu to cater the medical tourism market.

Developed by Alavan Epic City Development Corp., a company jointly established by two former OFWs, hotelier Alan Duarte and Dr. Vanessa Cabaron will offer a sophisticated hospital service, residential condominium units, and a hotel, in one sprawling multi-storey building.

In a press conference, Cabaron, a Cebuana medical doctor practicing in Orlando, USA for 19 years, said that Moalboal’s charm as a resort, diving destination should be supported with facilities that attract the foreign market, especially those seeking medical attention, at the same time vacationing, or if not making Philippines their second home.

Cabaron’s partner, Alan Duarte who has been working as a hotelier for years mostly in Middle Eastern countries, including his stint as resident manager of Prime Minister Palace in the Kurdistan regional government, decided to invest on a unique tourism related service in Cebu, capitalizing on medical tourism segment.

Alavan Epic City to be situated in Barangay Balabagon, Moalboal, is just the first phase of the entire masterplan, Duarte said.

The project commits to build 100-bed eight-storey to be named Gonzalo S. Cabaron Memorial Hospital, which will introduce a tele-medicine technology.

Aside from hotel rooms, and residential units, the three interconnected medium rise buildings will also house retail establishments, and government offices.

“We have to shine as a medical tourism destination,” noted Duarte, adding that Moalboal is a strategic and attraction coastal community down southwest of Cebu, as there is also a growing community of foreign tourists/divers residing in Moalboal.

Despite Cebu’s potential to seize the multi-million-dollar medical tourism market, the province still has to fully take off because of lack of proper facility.