Suntrust infusing P3.2 billion for development of Westside resort

MANILA, Philippines — Suntrust Resort Holdings Inc., the Philippine unit of Hong Kong’s LET Group, is injecting P3.2 billion for the development of the Westside integrated resort project in Parañaque.

In a stock exchange filing, Suntrust said it subscribed to 400 million common shares of Westside Bayshore Holding Corp.(WBHC) for P8 apiece, which consist of 40 percent of the company’s total outstanding and issued common shares.

WBHC is a holding company and subsidiary of Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., a developer of integrated resorts and operator of gaming facilities under a license issued by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

Suntrust said the acquisition of 40-percent of the total outstanding and issued shares of WBHC is pursuant to a strategic working agreement with Travellers International, Westside City Inc. and Entertainment City Resorts Corp. (ECRC) to expedite the completion of the Westside integrated resort project in Entertainment City.

Under the agreement, Suntrust will effectively hold 20 percent indirect interest of ECRC.

“Through this acquisition, Suntrust will effectively hold an indirect interest in ECRC, a subsidiary of WBHC, which assumed all rights and obligations related to the Westside Integrated Resort Project to ensure its timely construction, development, completion and operation,” Suntrust said.

The acquisition also forms part of Suntrust’s broader corporate restructuring plan, which involves shifting its strategic focus toward holding investments in the tourism and gaming sectors.

The Westside integrated resort project is regarded as a world-class integrated resort consisting of five-star hotel, casino, mall and theater complex envisioned to be the Broadway of the Philippines.

Based on the project implementation plan, Suntrust said  the completion and opening of the Westside City Main Casino has been moved to the third quarter of 2026, instead of the previous launch estimate of December 2025.

As of end-March, the company said  the construction of structural works and major facade systems up to roof level has been completed.

The mechanical, electrical and plumbing and fire protection systems in major plant rooms have also been substantially completed and part of the system has commenced testing and commissioning.

The Main Casino was previously targeted to have 475 luxury hotel rooms and suites, a pool deck, spa, state-of-the-art wellness center with views of the Manila Bay sunset, a ballroom capable of accommodating 550 people with support facilities such as meeting rooms and a bridal room.

It was also planned to have a 1,000-seat and two 800-seat theaters, a grand opera house, a 3,000-seat performing arts theater and a mall composed of food and beverages and retail units, four cinemas and a parking facility with over 1,000 slots.

At opening, Suntrust earlier said that the casino establishment would have 281 gaming tables, 1,126 slot machines and 134 electronic table games for both the mass and VIP markets.