A little over six hundred miles from Metro Manila nestles Koronadal City in South Central Mindanao. It is a landlocked city of over 27 barangays strewn over a land area of less than 30,000 hectares with about 200,000 residents as per 2020 figures. Yet, Wilcon Depot, the country’s leading building and home partner, sees the potential of the City of Koronadal as a glittering hub of economic activity.
From being a mere settlement district in a once chaotic part of the country, Koronadal City has blossomed to become the regional and administrative heart of Region XII, or what is also known as the SOCCSSKSARGEN Region. Recognizing its rapid urbanization, and its flourishing political, cultural, and socio-economic activities, Wilcon recently set up its 93rd store in this thriving city.
Wilcon Depot Builds a Strong Presence in the “Crown City of the South” – Wilcon Depot celebrates another significant milestone with the grand opening of its 93rd store in Koronadal City, South Cotabato. This new big box store aims to bring its impressive product lines closer to the community of Koronadaleños, serving as a hub for quality home improvement and building needs. (In photo: Wilcon Depot AVP for Sales and Operations, Mr. Ruben Flores; South Cotabato Governor Hon. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. and South Cotabato Provincial Vice Governor Hon. Arthur Pingoy Jr. representative, SK Federation President Hon. Vincent Figueroa; Koronadal City Vice Mayor Hon. Erlinda Araquil; Koronadal City Mayor Hon. Eleordo Ogena representative, Mr. Rey Abela; and Wilcon Depot Security Consultant Gen. Rolando Manalo.)
Although it has acquired its cityhood just a little over two decades ago in year 2000, Koronadal City is flourishing in Central Mindanao. It is a city that throbs with commercial, industrial, and socio-economic activity. It is also acknowledged as the agri-industrial hub of South Cotabato.
Koronadal residents and transients are more than happy about Wilcon’s arrival in the city. For the locals, the new Wilcon store saves them from shelling out money for a longer trip just to purchase their home building and improvement essentials. Operations Manager Charmene Pineda-Alising says that previously, people had to travel for at least an hour to Wilcon in General Santos for their needs. The Koronadal City branch conveniently allows them to purchase building essentials within a short time.
Customers are also raving about the after-sales service they get from Wilcon. They are thrilled that Wilcon boasts of a wide and complete product line. Wilcon staff are always ready to answer any query about the product, delivery, and installation to the minutest detail. One of the Wilcon Depot Koronadal customers attests, “Kapag bibili ako sa Wilcon, hindi ko na iisipin kahit yung pag-install dahil sinasabi at tinuturo na rin nila sa mag local customers ito.”
This comes as no surprise to those who are familiar with the 46-year-old company. Wilcon’s Founder and Chairman Emeritus Dr. William Belo says the campaign to reach 100 stores within the next few months is in keeping the company’s mantra of forging strategic partnerships, building dreams, innovating products, and creating spaces to transform the lives of Filipinos. Making premium building and home improvement products accessible to Filipinos from each corner of the archipelago is key to the overall mission of nation-building.
But the profits and benefits of being the go-to supplier for the construction and home improvement industry are not the only things that move Wilcon to ‘fly-high’ and expand to its 100th store mark. Lorraine Belo, Wilcon President and CEO, says that the drive to build its 100th store is a way of giving back and showing gratitude to its ever-growing roster of partners and clients. “Their unwavering support has fueled our company’s success throughout the years, from the time that we were just a humble 60-square meter store along Quezon Avenue. Today, each of Wilcon Depot’s nearly 100 stores is a builder’s haven replete with every imaginable home and construction product spread across an average store floor area of 8,000 to 10,000 square meters. Our clients and partners are incredible. It is only right that we reach out to them and give them exactly what they need in the most convenient way possible”, she adds.
Jillian Saldo affirms the added convenience of having everything they need to build within reach, “Malaking tulong na nandito na sa Koronadal ang Wilcon. Hindi na namin kailangan lumayo para bumili ng kailangan sa bahay such as tiles and sanitary ware.
Accessibility and an impressive product line are just the tip of the Wilcon iceberg of benefits. Charmene Pineda-Alising says locals are even more excited by the job opportunities that are created with the opening of the Koronadal City branch. Right now, Wilcon Depot Koronadal has 109 staff. Because building materials are easier to secure, business establishments are sprouting all over the city which eventually translate to more jobs for locals and transients in the thriving city.
Amid the advantages of accessibility, convenience, job generation, and expansive product lines, Rosemarie Bosch-Ong, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Wilcon says there is more to the drive to 100 stores than meets the eye. Wilcon Depot’s store expansion campaign #FlyingHighTo100 is not a mere frenzy to construct 100 stores. It also serves as a testament to the company’s continuing and evolving commitment to spreading sustainable initiatives. Wilcon is actively engaged, invested, and resolute in implementing sustainable efforts in its mandate to help Filipinos actualize their building dreams. The nearly 100 Wilcon stores spread throughout the islands are all committed to applying future-forward techniques without jeopardizing the beauty of natural resources.
For the people who live and love Koronadal City, this is the best news ever. Koronadal is well known for its natural beauty. It is known as the “Crown City of the South” because of its amazing topographical features. Its highlands, majestic waterfalls, and lush rainforests are still conserved. To the aesthetic eye, the imposing mountain ranges of Koronadal resemble the edges of a crown which aptly captures the City of Koronadal’s name.
Ong assures that Wilcon Depot will always move toward a more sustainable future and propel long-term growth by incorporating social impact, environmental responsibility, and economic resilience in its corporate DNA. For the locals and builders in Koronadal City, it is very reassuring to have in their midst a company that supports the building industry and is armed with a social commitment to sustainability. In the eyes of the people of Koronadal City, Wilcon Depot is truly another gem in the Crown City of Koronadal.
Start building big ideas with Wilcon Depot and shop daily at its newest store from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Visit Wilcon Depot Koronadal City located at Purok Spring, Brgy. Morales, Koronadal City.
For more information about Wilcon, visit www.wilcon.com.ph or follow their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok. or subscribe and connect with them on Viber Community, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
This article is brought to you by Wilcon Depot.
ADVT.