Earlier this year, the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) has identified what it called as the Next Wave Cities.
These are said to be promising locations deemed to be prime, prospective hubs that would not only provide alternative locations for IT-business process management companies seeking to expand outside Metro Manila, but would also support the stellar growth performance of the industry.
In the same announcement, the IBPAP also identified 10 Emerging Cities, which were said to potentially have the right foundation to attract local and foreign IT-BPM locators and may soon become next wave cities. These cites were assessed based on talent availability, presence of infrastructure, good business environment, and cost competitiveness.
And one of the cities identified in the list was Roxas City in Capiz.
Changing the landscape
Such an announcement is not only expected to attract more local and foreign companies to set up shop in these cities, but will also entice real estate developers to look into different prospective opportunities for industrial, commercial and residential projects.
Pueblo de Panay Inc. (PDPI), for one, is riding high on the fact that Roxas City was named an “emerging location for IT-BPM investments in the Philippines.”
PDPI is putting up a multi-billion flagship project called Pueblo de Panay, which is poised to change the landscape of Roxas City in Capiz. This 500-hectare mixed-use, Filipino-inspired township would not only serve as the live-work area of choice, but may more importantly, become a center of economic and social progress in the province.
“Pueblo de Panay has all the makings of a progressive center of trade, tourism and commerce in Northern Panay. It is a ‘city within a city’ that has different land uses, zones and support facilities that can attract foreign and domestic tourists and various stakeholders,” PdPI president and CEO Jose Nery Ong said in a statement.
Ong, who also serves as the president and CEO of the Capiz ICT Council, claimed they have already been planting the seeds for Roxas City’s future. For instance, the city today has fiber optic telecom facilities in place, and also boasts of a good talent pool for BPO companies.
Ripple effect
Pueblo de Panay’s township concept is proof of PDPI’s growing reputation as an “innovator” in Northern Panay.
A contiguous property that is being developed into a mixed-use integrated community, Pueblo de Panay has secured a license from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority for 7.4-hectare technopark.
The township is planned to eventually include future locators such as a university, a hospital, a four-star hotel, food terminal complex, and themed residential communities, foremost of which is Sitio Uno, the first premiere vertical mixed-use condominium in Capiz.
Sitio Uno, which will feature 20 luxurious commercial units for lease and 88 residential units, is foreseen to “create a ripple effect in the economy of Roxas City and nearby municipalities, as well as provide opportunities in the countryside.”
PDPI said it was able to secure from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), a loan for the construction of Sitio Uno.
‘’The project is expected to contribute significantly to the development in Roxas City with gains expected from providing housing/hotel accommodation for residents/travelers and executives of BPO companies in PDPI Technopark. The project will also generate downstream economic activities in the construction and real estate markets, not to mention that significant opportunity for employment it will generate,” the DBP was quoted in the statement as saying.
“While Roxas City is a desirable place for such IT and BPO investments for all the above reasons, we would like to offer PDP township as its future central business district and central financial district. Masterplanned with global standards locators in PDP will enjoy more reasons as: higher up-side on their real-estate investments, excellent educational institutions for migrating families; and life-work balance environment where new jobs will be created within walking distance to our lifestyle preferences,” Ong further explained.
Modern city
Sitio Uno is just one of the many “modern city” components that will dot the landscape of Roxas City in the next few years. As Roxas City’s business community continues to thrive, locals have developed an appetite for various types of modern amenities fit for their lifestyle.
“There are very clear indications that the Roxas City people are ready for this project. Many can afford to emulate affluent lifestyles, without necessarily having to move to Manila or other modern cities to enjoy,” Ong said. “Moreover, our BPO locators require that we provide residential facilities for their executive, which the Sitio Uno can offer. Our timeline is a dynamic master plan projecting towards growth over the next 50 years.”
Operating since the ’90s, PDPI has built a solid reputation for excellence and innovation by developing at least 150 hectares of residential subdivisions with almost 10,000 homes in Northern Panay.