President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Thursday lauded the province of Cebu for being named the Top 2009 Emerging Global Outsourcing Destination by Tholons, a global outsourcing advisory firm.
Tholons is India-based, with branches in the world’s major capitals. In a recent survey, it ranked Cebu at the top of 50 cities all over the world in scale and quality of workforce, modern infrastructure, risk profile, cost of operation, and quality of life.
In her speech before officers and employees of Qualfon Quality Contact Services at Asiatown IT Park here, the President said the city’s world-class workforce nicely dovetails with the Cyber Corridor established by her administration.
In her 2006 State of the Nation Address, the President announced the creation of the Cyber Corridor, where ICT (information and communications technology) and BPO (business outsourcing process) firms can locate their operation.
"Aside from miles and miles of roads that are now three-fourths complete, a 200-megawatt power plant will be constructed here next year. And as we can see, Asiatown IT Park facilities are available to accommodate ICT-BPO locators,” the President said.
"Cebu is attractive to investors because of the high quality of graduates from nine universities and 50 colleges," she said.
The President stressed that the rise of the $ 7-billion BPO industry can be traced to her administration’s strategic investments in three areas, namely connectivity infrastructure backbone, appropriate policy and legal environment, and human capital.
She said the government heavily invested in human development by providing more than 5,000 schools with computers, 4,000 of them with Internet connection.
According to the President, she has established three times more technical schools than the three previous administrations combined.
“Thanks to the Cyber Corridor, billions of pesos in investments poured into the country, creating half a million jobs in BPO industry alone," she said. “It is this big number of livelihood opportunities that is part of the legacy I am leaving behind.” (PNA) |
Source
SM Prime Holdings Inc., the country’s largest retail chain, will start the construction of its planned shopping mall within the 240-hectare South Road Properties in Cebu in 2012, according to a top company official.
SM Prime chief financial officer Jeffrey Lim said the shopping center will have a gross floor area of 250,000 square meters, making it the biggest retail complex in Visayas and Mindanao. The shopping mall would be a smaller version of the 60-hectare Mall of Asia complex along Roxas Boulevard.
SM Prime has committed to invest at least P20 billion over a 15-year period for a mixed-use development project at SRP which will include a convention center, hotels, high-rise residential condominiums, school and a hospital.
The company has offered to acquire a 28-hectare property within the SRP for P11,000 per square meter or nearly P3 billion. The SRP is a land reclamation project by the Cebu City government.
Aside from SM Prime, Filinvest Land Inc. is also developing 50.6 hectares of the SRP into a mixed-use complex. The project will be developed in four phases over a 20-year period with FLI contributing the development costs as well as the marketing and management services.
SM Prime is spending P12.1 billion this year for the opening of five new malls nationwide and one in China. Slated for opening this year are Calamba, Laguna; Masinag, Antipolo; Tarlac; Novaliches and San Pablo, Laguna which will provide a total of 279,228 square meters in gross floor area.
Three new malls in China – Chonggqing, Suzhou, and Zibo – are targeted for opening between 2010 and 2012. This will add to its three existing malls - SM Xiamen, Jinjiang and Chengdu.
SM Prime expects to have a total of 41 malls by end-2010 with total gross floor area of 4.5 to 4.8 million square meters. Its malls currently have a foot traffic of over 2.5 million per day. – Zinnia dela Peña | The Philippines Star 5 Feb 2010
Living a life of indulgence does not come easy when you’re used to living in the city
In the urban jungle, you wake up to the music of honking cars and rise to the smell of gasoline. You deal with traffic and stress, as well as a string of bills to pay. So you grit your teeth and join the constant struggle to get ahead in the rat race, in the hope of someday reaping your reward: living a life of ease.
But what if there’s a way to cash in that reward a little early, would you go ahead and take it?
Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) presents this challenge in AmiSa, a masterplanned community and leisure estate in Mactan Island, Cebu.
AmiSa is Sanskrit for object of enjoyment, a pleasing or beautiful object. True to its name, AmiSa fashions itself as a Nirvana for those seeking respite from the rigors of urban living.
Imagine waking up to the sound of the waves rolling up to the shore, as fresh air from the sea wafts through the open window. Picture yourself and your loved ones taking long lazy walks along the beach, or refreshing dips in the ocean. Envision an afternoon with nothing but rest and relaxation on your agenda.
With AmiSa, RLC offers the prospect of luxury resort living in a destination famous for its gentle climate, azure waters and white sand beaches.
According to Frederick Go, president and chief operating officer of RLC, AmiSa is the perfect beach getaway from the chaos and confusion of the city.
Sprawled across six hectares of prime real estate in the Punta Engaño district of Mactan, this community boasts of a 200-meter beachfront. The property is a mere 10-minute drive from the Mactan Airport, and a 30-minute drive from Cebu City’s commercial and business district.
When completed, it will have six residential condominium towers which feature cantilevered balconies from which breathtaking views of Cebu’s landscape as well as its coastline can be enjoyed; a hotel with all the amenities for modern leisure island living; an entertainment center; sports activity areas and pools.
Tree-lined walks, pocket parks and paths complement a picturesque landscape inspired by Australia’s Gold Coast.
In addition, residents enjoy access to such facilities as an indoor gym and fitness center, water sports, infinity pools and biking and jogging trails. They may indulge in fun group activities at the karaoke room and the mini-theater, or select from the many services of the resort spa, enjoy al-fresco dining at the picnic area and glimpse spectacular sights from the viewing deck, cabanas and pavillions.
AmiSa is also well-suited to accommodate the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) market, dovetailing with the government’s five-year plan to generate tourism traffic from China, Russia, and ASEAN countries.
Future residents can choose to buy a studio (perfect for those “far-from-the-madding-crowd” getaways), one-bedroom (ideal for honeymooners) and two-bedroom units (for the ultimate family vacation). Units range from 39.45 sqm to 81.90 sqm starting at P3.2 million. Special payment schemes for as low as P29,425 a month are also available.
Recently, RLC announced that the turnover for Tower A shall be months ahead of schedule.
To know more about how you can own your luxury residence by the sea at Amisa, visit our website at www.ibrokermo.com or send us your questions/requests to info@ibrokermo.com.
Filed under: Real Estate, Announcements, Community Information, Residences, Homes, Clubhouse, Condos, Properties, Pool, Cebu, Amenities, Condominium, Studio, News, Cebu Projects, Amisa
EXPANSION of the Tayud provincial road located in Consolacion town, northern Cebu may take place before the ban on infrastructure project takes effect on March 26.
In yesterday's press conference, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said the Department of Budget and Management (BDM) will release anytime part of the P350 million appropriation to kick off project implementation.
“I already talked to DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) Secretary Vic Domingo and it’s just a matter of appropriating the funds,” said Garcia.
She said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assured her that she talked with Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya on the release of the project funds in last Sunday's visit.
Arroyo made a brief stopover to inspect works on the Cansaga bridge that connects Mandaue City to Consolacion town.
“The release of funds will be done in tranches. They may release during the first tranche P100 million,” the governor said.
The two-lane Tayud Road would be expanded to four lanes.
The road connects to the North Coastal Road Project (NCRP) of the national government.
Cansaga bridge, a component of the CNRP, will be opened to the riding public by end of March.
President Arroyo made a ceremonial drive through on the Cansaga bridge which is expected to serve as diversion road for vehicles using the national highway.
“For as long as part of the appropriation if available, we can make this into a continuing project so that this will not be affected by the ban on infrastructure projects,” said Garcia.
Garcia earlier sought the devolution of funds for the Tayud road expansion project to the Capitol to provide employment to local workers.
She said the DPWH would still supervise the project.
The late press secretary Cerge Remonde announced the president's approval of Garcia's request in last year's presidential visit. - Doris C. Bongcac / Cebu Daily News
The Cebu City Council yesterday asked the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Natural Resources to require land developers in the city to plan fruit-bearing trees equal to the number of houses they intend to build.
Councilor Nestor Archival, chairman of the council committee on environment, said the plating of fruit-bearing trees should be made one of the requirements to secure an Environmental Compliance Certificate.
Archival proposed that DENR officials should coordinate with barangay officials to ensure that the requirement be complied with by the land developers.
The move, Archival said, will help preserve the environment.
Earlier, an environmentalist asked: "Can we afford to clear the areas of their forest cover, exposing the hillsides to landslides and low-lying areas to flash floods?"
According to him, development cannot be ignored but environmental protection should also be the prime concern.
It was suggested that the council should pass an ordinance to regulate land development, particularly in the upland areas. Unregulated development of hillsides would mean greater risk to those living in low areas.
Last year, the city relocated several families in Barangay Guadalupe that are affected by floodwater allegedly sliding down from the hilly portion of the barangay that is being developed for an upscale housing subdivision.
Reference: The Freeman, 17 December 2009, p. 6 by Rene U. Borromeo/LPM
Filed under: Real Estate, Market Conditions, Announcements, Buyer Information, Seller Information, Community Information, Homes, Properties, Houses, News, housing
Starting January next year, all employees, whether permanent, temporary or provisional, all self-employed persons, regardless of trade, business or occupation with an income or salary of at least P1,000 a month will be mandated to apply as members of the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-ibig Fund).
This is just one of the highlights of the recently signed Republic Act 9679, otherwise known as the Home Development Mutual Fund Law of 2009.
Under Rule V of the Implementing Rules and Regulations, all workers earning at least P1,000 shall be covered by the law including household helper defined as persons who render domestic services exclusively to a household such as drivers, gardeners, cook, governess and other similar occupations.
Membership is also mandatory if you are a self-employed person, whether actors, directors, scriptwriters and news reporters who are not under an employer-employee relationship; professional athletes, trainers and jockeys; farmers and fisher folk; workers in the informal sectors such as cigarette vendors, street vendors, among others.
Coverage under the Fund shall be also mandatory for Filipinos employed by foreign-based employers whether deployed here or abroad.
The law also provides voluntary coverage for persons who are at least 18 years old and are not subject to mandatory coverage.
Mandatory coverage shall star, for employers, at the beginning of his business' operation. For employees, the start of his membership will be on his hire date. Those who are covered by the law but were already employed prior to the passage of RA 9679, coverage must begin on January 1, 2010.
The IRR indicates that it shall be the duty of all employers to register all their employees who are subject to mandatory coverage. They must submit all data and information to the Fund.
Registration of self-employed will be within 30 days from the date that he started to be self-employed.
Both the Mandaue and Cebu City branches of Pag-ibig Fund have already sent letters to local government units in Cebu to disseminate the information on the new mandates of RA 9679.
Vice President and Chairman of HDMF Noli de Castro said that there will also be an increase in the membership contribution rates that needs to be done to further improve the delivery of services to all members.
The increase in member's contribution is expected to bring more funds to HDMF which they may use to provide assistance to more members who need it especially to answer the growing demand for affordable housing.
Meanwhile, the transaction cards for all Pag-ibig members will be available by the end of January next year. Printing has started in Cebu City and Mandaue branch last November.
Reference: The Freeman, 17 December 2009 p. 3 by Jessica Ann R. Pareja/WAB
Filed under: Real Estate, Announcements, Industry, Finances, Buyer Information, Community Information, Affordable, Homes, Cebu, HDMF, Pag-ibig, News, housing
Semi-furnished 4-bedroom home
• 320 sq. m., 4 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story - $250,000 USD
Banawa, Cebu City - Tired of looking for place that will suit your large family? This 4-bedroom single-detached family home is the perfect home for your family. Each bedroom comes with its private bathroom and wardrobe. Space is not even compromised maximizing every corner of the house to create a private sanctuary that is both warm and comfy.
Carefully designed, this house uses materials of high quality that one can pass from one family generation to another. We encourage you to see for yourself how this house is made with utmost detail. Beautiful inside and out, there is nothing like it near the heart of Cebu City.
Home features:
* Semi-furnished home
* Each bedroom has an ensuite bathroom and closet
* Mini-bar
* 2-3 carpark
Seller's Price: Php 13,500,000 (negotiable)
Schedule a showing now. Contact us!
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Green Living in the City
• 1 bath, 1 bdrm apartment - $60,800 USD
Cubao, Quezon City - Plan ahead and enjoy all the privileges of a prime location.
Escalades is the right place for you at any stage of your life. Whether you are a student, a working professional, a retiree, or home maker, we’ve take your life plan and made it the basis of our master plan.
Come home to your haven in the city. An exclusive gated garden community where you can feel secure, designed and master planned for you. Escalades is a place where residents feel comfortably tucked away from the bustle of city life, with accessibility to all modern conveniences.
Green living begins here. Escalades is designed by Robinsons Land Corporation with its professional design partners, following a method called “Green Architecture”. Buildings are made to be energy-efficient, allowing more natural sunlight into each unit and hallway, and providing greater air ventilation, which saves owners added utility expenses in the long run. It’s a wise investment that fits your long term goals.
Project Amenities and Features
Escala Verde Courtyard ( 2,936 sq. m. of Tropical Asian-inspired open garden)
Gazebo Luna
Circulo Grande (exterior circumferential road)
Multi-purpose function rooms
Gym
Swimming pool
Children’s Playground
Jogging Path
Picnic Areas
Day Care Center
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Very Private Neighborhood
• 2,317 sq. ft., 4 bath, 3 bdrm townhouse "Spanish-Mediterranean" - $119,000 USD - Price good for 1st Buyer
Guadalupe, Cebu City - Ground Floor Features:
* 1 Car-capacity.
* 1 Powder room with granite countertop with ceramic lavatory.
* Most areas are finished with spanish tiles.
* Imported ceramic tiles for Toilet & Baths.
* Granite kitchen countertop with built-in cabinets and stainless steel sink.
* Wrough iron works for staircase handrails.
* Solid wooden doors and jambs.
* Painted ceilings and cornice moldings.
* Painted exterior concrete architectural moldings, posts and trellis.
* Elegant and functional electrical system.
* Kohler (USA) plumbing fixtures.
* Fusiotherm pipes for water distribution system.
* 1 Maid's room with Toilet & Baths and functional closet.
Second Floor Features:
* Master bedroom with built-in closet, Toilet & Baths furnished with bathtub and granite countertop with ceramic lavatory.
* 2 Bedrooms with functional closets and common Toilet & Baths with granite countertop and ceramic lavatory.
* Imported ceramic tile finished Toilet & Baths floors and walls.
* Balcony with concrete railings and balusters.
* Steel trusses and purlins on roof framing system.
* Long span pre-painted steel tile roofing.
Note: Quoted price is in dollars (US$1.00=Php42.00) and rounded to the nearest thousands.
Property information
Guadalupe, Cebu City - Announcing a price reduction on ST. ANDREW'S TOWNHOUSE, a 2,317 sq. ft., 4 bath, 3 bdrm townhouse "Spanish-Mediterranean". Now $119,000 USD - Price good for 1st Buyer.
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Lorega San Miguel, Cebu City - Announcing a price reduction on INNER CITY CONDO, a 1,337 sq. ft., 3 bath, 3 bdrm apartment. Now $163,000 USD - 5% Discount for Spot Cash.
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A Haven for Creative Minds
• lot / land "White Sand Beachfront" - $8,000,000 USD - Price Offers Are Welcome
Santa Fe, Bantayan Island - Hold your breathe as we take you to the most secluded private island in Santa Fe - The Romance at the Sea. Before setting foot at the island, you can't help but notice the wide stretch of white sand over sapphire waters and azure sky backdrop from a mile away. As you descent from the motorboat one can immediately feel the excitement and rush to play and seek a different kind of adventure.
The unspoiled environment in its natural setting will transport you to a moment of timeless bliss where sounds of the waves, cool sea breeze, 360 degree scenic view of the neighboring islands and endless sea horizon as well as gazing at the island's sunrise and sunset captivate you like no other. When nighttime comes look above you and get bedazzled as millions of stars decorate the horizon while the moon lit up the night over the sparkling waters. End the night with a pleasant dream and wake-up the morning after with handful astounding stories to share with friends and family.
This 74-acre property is just 25 minutes away by motorboat from the nearby seaport of Santa Fe. Air travel is only 15-20 minutes from Mactan International Airport to Santa Airport. Land travel is 2-3 hours from Cebu City to Hagnaya seaport. Sea travel is 1 hour from Hagnaya seaport to Santa Fe seaport. Vehicles can be transported to Santa Fe via passenger-cargo ferryboats.
The island's togography is generally flat with coconut trees and shrubs inhabiting the entire island. Some exotic birds find its way on this island and take some short rest since only the widest beachfront is inhabited by the island's caretaker. Its current main source of freshwater is rainwater but Bantayan Island, which is a few kilometers away from this coral-made island, can supply freshwater through underground waterpipe or a desalination plant on the island as an alternative water source. The island needs a private generator set to source its own power requirement. Mobile phone signal is strong in the island.
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Commonwealth Estate is set to make available the ultimate cosmopolitan lifestyle to the majority of the Cebuanos. With the upcoming rise of its latest residential condominium project, the
Woodcrest Residences, Cebuanos will now have the chance to line in a condominium unit, complete with first class amenities and features, at the most affordable price.
Going home would now mean taking the elevator up and opening the door to a room with a view of the city's lights at night. Weekends could be a visit to the fitness gym at the second floor. And before heading for a night cap, one could take a quick dip in the swimming pool. This is the ultimate cosmopolitan lifestyle. Woodcrest Residences, a mid-rise residential condominium is tucked in a peaceful nook in Guadalupe, right within the heart of the city.
Backed by the extensive experience of Commonwealth Estate in community development, Woodcrest Residences offers its residence the features and amenities that provide the conveniences for a fast-paced lifestyle balanced by a naturally therapeutic environment. A fitness gym, a swimming pool with a kids wading pool, clubhouse with function rooms, amenities that are usually only available on high-end condominium developments are all available at Woodcrest Residences.
From security, parking, garbage disposal up to the manicured gardens and strolling lanes, Woodcrest Residences is a well-planned residential condominium project that gives residence the peace of mind living in a hassle-free community. With selling prices starting at less than two million pesos only, it is the least priced fully finished, amenities-filled residential condominium in the market today.
"We want to make condo living a new way of life in Cebu, not just for the rich, but for every hard working Cebuano, " shares Commonwealth Estate President Stephen Liu.
Despite its affordability, aesthetics was something the developers would not sacrifice either. Minute details like placing the service areas with free washing machines and dryers, Just so that no clothes will be seen hanging from outside the building, have been made standard amenities for all units.
Woodcrest Residences comes in a one-bedroom studio type or two-bedroom suite or loft. The on bedroom studio, with a floor area of 32 sq.m. is ideal for young professionals or newly married couples, which, also makes for the easy tidying of the unit. The two-bedroom suite has 60 sq.m in floor area. It comes with a master's bedroom and one standard room, ideal for smaller families. It has a separate service area that can also be used as a maid's quarter.
Each unit is complete with a living room, kitchen and dining, private balconies, individual porches and service areas. All bedrooms will be completely fitted with cabinets while the kitchens will be fitted with counter tops, cabinets and kitchen sinks.
With Cebu increasingly developing to be a highly urbanized metropolis, hard working Cebuanos will finally have the right address to fit their cosmopolitan lifestyle at the Woodcrest Residences. Commwonwealth Estates makes Cebuanos' aspirations for the good life a reality.
Groundbreaking Photos
Click here for more information on Woodcrest Residences.
Filed under: Real Estate, Market Conditions, For Sale, Announcements, Events, Point2, Community Information, Residences, Realtor, Affordable, Homes, Clubhouse, Condos, Properties, Fitness Gym, Pool, CEI, Woodcrest, Broker, Houses, Cebu, Amenities, Commonwealth, Apartment, Condominium, Studio, Loft