LAPU-LAPU CITY, CEBU—The four economic zones operated by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) will adopt the township concept in a move to integrate industrial, business and leisure components under one development.
Cebu will be the pilot site of this concept with the launch of Mahi by AppleOne Properties Inc., an information technology hub located in the Peza-owned Mactan Economic Zone (MEZ).
“Mahi is a venture that will change the face of Lapu-Lapu City as it will contribute to the local economy. It will also start the new concept that we are adopting for our ecozones… a place where locators and workers are going to live, learn, work and play,” said Peza Director General Charito Plaza.
After MEZ in Cebu, Plaza said they would reevaluate and redesign the Baguio City Economic Zone, Pampanga Economic Zone (Angeles City, Pampanga) and Cavite Economic Zone (Rosario, Cavite).
Plaza said consultants and urban planners were being tapped to check on the economic zones and transform them into green and healthy spaces.
Plaza was in Cebu on March 20, 2019, to grace the groundbreaking ceremony of Mahi, a project of Cebu-based API.
Mahi is listed as a Peza information technology enterprise and stands on a 7,500-square meter lot in MEZ.
API chief executive officer Ray Manigsaca said the company was allocating spaces for IT industry (30 percent), common utility and facility (29 percent), and hotel and retail spaces (41 percent).
Manigsaca also announced Fairfield Inn and Suites, the second largest brand of Marriott International, would be the hotel component of the project.
“This is the first of a kind development. Mahi is going to be a game changer with an iconic brand that will contribute to Mactan’s economic progress,” he said.
Steve Baek, senior director of hotel development of Marriott International-Asia Pacific, said Fairfield Inn would have 180 rooms and would cater to Cebu’s growing business travelers.
Plaza said Cebu’s example would be replicated in Peza’s other three economic zones.
She said Peza would “re-green and re-landscape” MEZ and would later make available electronic shuttle services for its workers.
But while Peza is going to adopt the township concept, Plaza said they would ensure that the industrial part of the economic zones “will continue to have its privacy” especially for locators with sensitive products such as chemicals and electronic chips.