Robinsons to build mall in Isabela

Gokongwei-led Robinsons Land Corp. is set to build its 34th mall in the country—a three-story full-service mall in Santiago City, Isabela, which will open for business in September next year.

In a statement, RLC said the construction of Robinsons Place Isabela—which would have a gross leasable area of about 26,200 square meters—would solidify its mall network in northern Philippines. It will be among the five new malls to be opened by RLC in 2013.

The full-service mall will be built on a 4.2-hectare lot in Barangay (village) Mabini and is strategically located along the Maharlika Highway. It will have a gross floor area of 38,725 square meters.

Santiago City is considered the center of commerce and trade in Isabela and home to thousands of business enterprises, as well as numerous banks, educational institutions and manufacturing companies, RLC said.

The city also hosts some of the biggest and highly equipped hospitals in the region. Agriculture was noted as the main source of livelihood, with palay, corn, high-value fruits and vegetables as the primary crops.

The city is the trading station for grains and other agricultural crops coming from Ifugao, Kalinga, Quirino, Nueva Viscaya and other parts of Isabela.

RLC general manager for commercial centers division Arlene Magtibay said Robinsons Place Isabela would house a two-level Robinsons Department Store and a Robinsons Supermarket at the ground level as its anchor tenants. She said the upcoming mall would likewise feature Robinsons Appliance Center and Handyman, as well as an amusement center and four all-digital cinemas with a combined seating capacity of more than 1,000.

Robinsons Place Isabela also promises to host the most popular fashion and specialty shops, quick-service restaurants, casual dining outlets, a food court and service shops.

“With accessibility as a primary design consideration, the development provides for a tricycle terminal, a jeepney terminal and a bus lay-by,” RLC said, adding this would also have parking slots that can accommodate 640 cars and 900 motorcycles.—Doris C. Dumlao