P800 million for expansion earmarked: Aboitiz-led industrial estate expects to hire 16,000 more

CEBU, Philippines —  Thirty years after carving its name as the shipbuilding capital in the Philippines, the Aboitiz-led West Cebu Estate (WCE) is eyeing to spend more than P800 million to diversify its locator mix attracting medium to light industries.

In a press conference held yesterday in celebration of WCE 30th anniversary, WCE president and head of Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates Rafael de Mesa said the company is now starting the groundworks of the 39-hectare expansion plan, which is set for completion in 2025.

Once completed the western Cebu industrial estate expects to hire at least 16,000 more workers bringing the estate’s total workforce to 30,000.

According to de Mesa, the company is now pinpointing an exact amount to fund its additional investments to complete the township mixture, including a retail and commercial building component, among others.

“We are excited about our ongoing expansion, which will diversify our locator mix to include light to medium manufacturing, as well as a central business district with commercial lots for sale, anchored by a new neighborhood mall with a transport terminal and a communal park, that will support the everyday needs of the Estate, and of the growing population in Balamban,” De Mesa noted reiterating that this expansion will attract investments and generate new jobs, potentially increasing the working population from 14,000 to 30,000.

“As we grow, we remain committed to exceptional service, raising development standards, and prioritizing sustainable and intelligent growth in the countryside,” De Mesa added.

The WCE is a 60-40 joint venture between the Aboitiz Group and Tsuneishi Holdings of Japan. It is anchored by a 283-hectare Philippine Economic Zone Authority registered zone that has complementary commercial, institutional, and residential components.

Presently, WCE hosts 11 locators from medium to heavy industries, some of which are the biggest shipbuilding firms in the world like Austal Philippines, Tsuneishi Heavy Industries and Advance Catamaran Composites.

De Mesa said that the company is doing investment promotions’ mission in other countries like Japan, Korea and Taiwan, along with talks with potential locators across industries, including foreign manufacturing companies, which have shown interest in the planned development expansion.

The Aboitiz-led West Cebu Exchange will also build a four-hectare commercial complex that will host a transportation hub, communal outlets, retail shops, basic services, a supermarket.

AIC also plans to build high-rise office towers for business process management and residential components depending on market’s feasibility.