DOT-7 welcomes new Patria project

CEBU, Philippines —  Department of Tourism-7 Director Shalimar Tamano said that private infrastructures such as the Patria de Cebu are needed in preparation for tourism’s big comeback after the pandemic.

“This is the time really to prepare our products, to protect the environment and to continue with our public and private infrastructure such as this. We have our third bridge which is now under construction and we now we already discussing the fourth bridge. Our airport is also expanding,” said Tamano during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Patria project last April 19.

Tamano described Cebu as comparable to Bali in Indonesia.

“Bali is around 5,500 square kilometers, and now they say Bali is good because of the culture. I say Cebu is better also because of the culture. Cebu is unique in Asia because it is the only Roman Catholic country and the center in Asia. So, we can say that Cebu is not only the Queen of the South, it can be the Queen of Asia,” the DOT-7 chief said.

Tamano added that Cebu is very accessible as it hosts flights to 26 cities all over Asia and the world as far as Dubai and Los Angeles and although some of these are cancelled for the time being, “these can easily reinvigorated when the time comes.”

He added that DOT is closely working with our LGUs, our local chief executives, organizations, associations and the Church.

“Cebu is the best and is always the leader because of the hardworking Cebuanos and the team up between the private and public sector and the Church,” Tamano further said.

During the groundbreaking, Jose Soberano III, Cebu Landmasters Inc. chief executive officer, said “this is not just a project of the church but it is, as what Archbishop Palma mentioned, a handiwork of God himself brought to us here in this world.”

The redevelopment of 21,000-square meter Catholic Recreation Center, Patria de Cebu is a collaboration between CLI and Archdiocese of Cebu. It is a mixed-use complex masterplanned to revitalize the historic center of Cebu dominated by the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral established centuries ago.

The collaboration covers the development and operation of the mixed-use project for 40 years.

The new Patria de Cebu, which is located at the same location which is in front of the cathedral, was envisioned by Architect Jose Pedro Recio to “visually bridge the old and the new” with the approval of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

The redevelopment will offer 4,320 square meters of food, dining and entertainment spaces and 4,400 square meters of office spaces.

A 182-room international hotel, Mercure Cebu Downtown, is also expected to open in the area by 2024.

Archbishop Jose Palma urged the faithful to pray for the project’s realization.

“We really pray because we believe this project is being undertaken by people who have a sincere desire to realize their very own aspiration. This dream is not only the dream of the Soberanos, not only the dream of tourism but the dream of the whole community and because we dream as a community, this will become a reality,” said Palma in his speech.

Jose Franco Soberano, CLI executive vice president and chief operating officer, said that their company and the archdiocese share the same vision and dream for Patria de Cebu.

He said the area where the structure is located is not only a bastion of Cebuano faith but also one of the strongest connections to history, heritage, and culture.

“When this was presented, our hearts and the heart of the archdiocese beat as one. This was not just any ordinary opportunity. It was extraordinary as this is one of the best opportunities to revitalize this very special area in downtown. This was really an opportunity to serve Cebu,” the younger Soberano said in his speech. — JMD (FREEMAN)