2 more IT parks set  to rise in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines — More jobs await Cebuanos with the expected development of Information Technology parks at the South Road Properties (SRP) and Barangay Mabolo, in Cebu City.

In an executive session of Cebu City Council yesterday, representatives from Robinsons Land Corporation were invited through a sponsored resolution by Committee on Tourism chair, Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, wherein they discussed special projects for Cebu City, including two IT parks.

In an interview with the reporters, Councilor Pesquera said Robinsons Land Corporation sent a letter to the Cebu City Council requesting an endorsement to Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) for them to be registered as an IT Enterprise.

The endorsement of the Cebu City Council is among the requirements that the corporation needs to be able to get the PEZA accreditation.

“Because when they get that certification from PEZA, they will get tax holiday, it will be also good for them and as well as for their locators,” said Pesquera.

She added that should these projects be realized, it will impact an economic boost for Cebu City in general. When it comes to IT, Pesquera said it corresponds to more opportunities for the people.

Among the integral examples that she noted is the economic impact of the existing IT park.

“It will be a very big help to our Cebuano, there will be more and more opportunities. They don’t have to go abroad in order to get jobs, and especially every year, we have lots and lots of university graduates, we can give them an assurance that there will be employment,” said Pesquera.

During their presentation in the executive session, Robinsons Land Corporation disclosed that they are eyeing to set off the project on the ground early next year.

Stephanie Lopez, Resident Manager of Robinsons Land Corporation presented the rationale of the projects.

According to Lopez, one of the projects will be located along the emerging “commercial thoroughfare” of St. John Paul II Avenue and will be called Robinsons Land’s Mabolo IT Park.

“This property, which is conveniently accessible via a 20-meter roadway, is 11 kilometers or less than 30 minutes away from Mactan-Cebu International Airport. It is also adjacent to the residential community of Barangay Mabolo and within the vicinity of Ayala Center Cebu and Cebu IT Park,” she said.

The other one will be along SRP and will be called Robinsons SRP IT Park.

According to her, the Mabolo IT Park is expected to generate at least 30,000 square meters of office space while Robinsons SRP IT Park’s will offer at least 50,000 square meters.

“With the completion of Mabolo IT Park and Robinsons SRP IT Park, it is expected that these two projects will generate at least 15,000 employees to complement Cebu City’s competitive edge in the office landscape,” she said. — (FREEMAN)