Ayala Center opens new PUV terminal

CEBU, Philippines - Ayala Center Cebu (ACC) opened its P53 million PUV (Public Utility Vehicle) terminal yesterday at the north-entrance area to pave way for its major shopping mall expansion which will kick off next week.

The new two-story PUV Terminal will accommodate an average trip frequency of at least 1,300 trips a day, including the trips of non-accredited public vehicles, said Joy Polloso, ACC general manager.

The terminal will serve major routes in Metro Cebu, seven of which are for jeepney and five routes will be serve by van for hire (V-Hire), she said. For jeepney, routes include Guadalupe, Colon, Labangon, Mandaue, Talamban, SM, and Lahug. The V-hire transport will also serve the routes going to and from Lapu-Lapu City, Consolacion, Lilo-an and further north of Balamban, Tuburan, and Asturias.

Overall, the ACC PUV Terminal covers a total of 4,000 square-meter gross floor area for the two-story facility.

Immediately, ACC through its mother company Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI), will start the construction of shopping mall expansion this coming Monday January 24, as it sets to officially break ground.

Initially called as the Phase 2-B project, the project will realize the construction of the extension of the mall, utilizing the South Surface Parking, that will incur Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI) at least P2.8 billion.

In an earlier interview with CHI president Francis Monera, he said that the construction is expected to be completed by 2013.

The four-story Ayala Center expansion will host the luxury brands, and other specialty shops, including a provision of available renting space for the planned expansion of Rustan’s Department Store.

Bullish about Cebu’s dynamic retail industry, despite external problems, Monera vowed that the mall will continue to offer the best of Ayala Malls for Cebu consumers.

So far, the Ayala Center Phase II-B is the largest expansion activity done by CHI, aside from the building of The Terraces, and other mini-improvements and expansion programs that it has embarked over the years.         

This year’s expansion will complete the original plan of ACC, however, some improvements were made in terms of design to conform to the changing preference and style of this generation’s shoppers.

The new Ayala Center expansion will cover a space one-third to the entire size of the existing mall, offering a total leasable area of 36,000 square meters.

“Over the years, ACC has made some expansions to improve the mall’s total ambiance and facilities,” he added.

He said that the company however, has changed some of the designs and aesthetics to conform with the times and consumers' changing preferences.In fact, of the construction of the al-fresco style The Terraces was not part of the original master-plan.

In 2009, Ayala Center registered a 19 percent growth of its total revenue.

The shopping and leisure mall generated total revenue of P696.77 million, 19 percent higher than 2008 level.

The mall’s growth amid the global crisis was due to the higher rental rate and sales per square meter and the operation of The Terraces.“

In the 4th quarter of last year, the mall launched the Active Zone, formerly the Ayala Food and Entertainment Center. This specialty zone provides more offerings for the growing interest of Cebuanos in fitness and having an active lifestyle.

The expansion of the ACC, is just one of the few projects lined up for Cebu, by CHI, in partnership with its mother company Ayala Land Inc. (ALI). 

The construction of the , PUV Terminal and ACC Phase II-B is part of the company’s P10 billion capital expenditure (capex) to build more projects inCebu in the next five years.

“Cebu’s economy is vibrant, relative to have CHI is doing, and the retail sector performing well. Also, Cebu is very attractive for BPO investors,” said ALI president Antonino T. Aquino in an earlier interview. (FREEMAN)