Firm planning new bldg. for BPOs

AFTER available spaces of the eBloc Tower were fully-leased out to “premium” locators four months after the building was completed, its managing company is now planning to construct a second building that will address need for office spaces for the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry.

The Asian i-Office Properties Inc. (AIO), in a press conference yesterday, said the BPO industry still foresees a 25-percent industry growth in 2010. With the forecast, inquiries from BPO companies for leasable spaces still continue to come in.

Similar concept

AIO president and chairman of the board Francis Monera refused to disclose more details on AIO’s second project but he said the building will have a similar concept as that of the 12-story eBloc Tower.

This move, Monera said, is aligned with the company’s aim of strengthening its recurring income sources after the company shifted from selling lots to constructing buildings to lease out the spaces for office and retail.

The still-to-be-named project is expected to start construction in the second half of 2010, following the launch of Asiatown IT Park’s (AITP) second phase next year.

At present, initial land development of the five-hectare AITP phase two is already underway. An estimated P200 million has been allocated for the expansion, Monera said.

Yesterday, AIO conducted a media tour of the eBloc Tower, which featured environment-friendly facilities as part of the Energy Management Program undertaken by wholly-owned and managed properties of Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI).

Energy consumption

This program, according to a statement by the company, aims to reduce the building’s energy consumption and reduce operating costs.

Among these features are the water-saving dual piping system and rainwater collection tank to save on water consumption, a segregated garbage collection area and waterless urinals and other water-saving toilet fixtures.

NCR Cebu Development Center Inc. (NCR) engineering manager Victor Silvestre said that after scouring the city for possible locations to house the company’s expansion, NCR chose to locate at the eBloc Tower because of its efficient utilities and the building design, which maximizes usage of the floor area.

NCR, which transferred to the eBloc Tower last September, is occupying 6,974-square meter office space at the eBloc Tower.

Another BPO player, JP Morgan Chase & Co. (JPMC), also recently signed a five-year lease contract to occupy four-and-a-half floors, or 12,404 square meters of office space from the 21,000 square meters total leasable space of the eBloc Tower.

JPMC is expected to start its operations in March 2010.

Banca Cruises, Cebu Pacific sign deal

By Nancy R. Cudis

TO attract more tourists to Cebu, Islands Banca Cruises (IBC) extended its services to travelers flying Cebu Pacific (CEB).

The two established players in the tourism industry recently sealed a partnership that will involve IBC as part of Cebu Pacific’s Fun Tours.

Running for two weeks already, the partnership has attracted a lot of inquiries and even bookings, mostly from domestic tourists, said CEB manager for Visayas sales Agnes Gupalor in a press conference yesterday at the City Sports Club.

Fun Tours is CEB’s “economical” tour package program that allows an individual to combine their lowest roundtrip airfare with the cheapest hotel accommodation in their desired destination and with recreational activities. These tour packages are designed to boost tourism.

Islands Group Marketing Head Carlo Borromeo said partnering with CEB is part of the company’s desire to further professionalize the banca cruise business that has been for a long time considered a cottage industry.

Tourists can avail of CEB’s Fun Tours online. If they book a flight to Cebu, they are recommended to go on island hopping through IBC, said Borromeo.

Tourists are offered island hopping in Talima Marine Sanctuary and snorkeling or fish-feeding in Gilutungan or island hopping to Gilutungan and sightseeing on Pandanon Island with choices of food and options for transfers.

Borromeo said they will offer a special rate for Fun Tours or about 20 percent less than the regular packages. The special package prices for Fun Tours range from P1,200 to P2,000, depending on the food the customers will order.

With six bancas of different capacities, IBC general manager Kitchie Uy-Cañete believes that these are enough to cater to bookings.

Borromeo said they are optimistic of the take-up of their services at Fun Tours, especially during summer.

At present, most of IBC’s customers are families and friends from Cebu. Others are expatriates, balikbayans, companies, and couples.

IBC started operations in April 2008 and is based in Punta Engaño, Mactan.

A brainchild of entrepreneur Jay Aldeguer, IBC is a subsidiary of the Islands Group.

Banca Cruises, Cebu Pacific sign deal

By Nancy R. Cudis

TO attract more tourists to Cebu, Islands Banca Cruises (IBC) extended its services to travelers flying Cebu Pacific (CEB).

The two established players in the tourism industry recently sealed a partnership that will involve IBC as part of Cebu Pacific’s Fun Tours.

Running for two weeks already, the partnership has attracted a lot of inquiries and even bookings, mostly from domestic tourists, said CEB manager for Visayas sales Agnes Gupalor in a press conference yesterday at the City Sports Club.

Fun Tours is CEB’s “economical” tour package program that allows an individual to combine their lowest roundtrip airfare with the cheapest hotel accommodation in their desired destination and with recreational activities. These tour packages are designed to boost tourism.

Islands Group Marketing Head Carlo Borromeo said partnering with CEB is part of the company’s desire to further professionalize the banca cruise business that has been for a long time considered a cottage industry.

Tourists can avail of CEB’s Fun Tours online. If they book a flight to Cebu, they are recommended to go on island hopping through IBC, said Borromeo.

Tourists are offered island hopping in Talima Marine Sanctuary and snorkeling or fish-feeding in Gilutungan or island hopping to Gilutungan and sightseeing on Pandanon Island with choices of food and options for transfers.

Borromeo said they will offer a special rate for Fun Tours or about 20 percent less than the regular packages. The special package prices for Fun Tours range from P1,200 to P2,000, depending on the food the customers will order.

With six bancas of different capacities, IBC general manager Kitchie Uy-Cañete believes that these are enough to cater to bookings.

Borromeo said they are optimistic of the take-up of their services at Fun Tours, especially during summer.

At present, most of IBC’s customers are families and friends from Cebu. Others are expatriates, balikbayans, companies, and couples.

IBC started operations in April 2008 and is based in Punta Engaño, Mactan.

A brainchild of entrepreneur Jay Aldeguer, IBC is a subsidiary of the Islands Group.

Ayala mall to be expanded anew in 2010

By Debra Magallon-Estero

MALL developer Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI) will set off another expansion project for the Ayala Center Cebu (ACC) within the first half of 2010.

Although CHI president Francis Monera did not disclose the actual budget of the project, he said the development will cost more than what was allocated for The Terraces project.

For The Terraces, which opened last year, CHI spent close to P1 billion.

In a press conference last Wednesday, Monera said the expansion project will complete the full circle design of the mall.

“The design is to provide more international and local brands to the Cebuanos,” he said.

The area to be developed covers the stretch from the corner of the Cebu City Marriott Hotel, the parking area across the Rustan’s supermarket and the parking area for public utility vehicles.

But Monera assured the public that there will still be an area for jeepneys.

The whole project will take two years to complete.

Aside from this, the Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) will also start the development of its residential condominium project at the Cebu Business Park (CBP).

Meanwhile, CHI is also working on the conversion of the CBP into an economic zone to create the same investor-friendly environment that the Asiatown IT Park (AITP) has.

Two months ago, CHI submitted its application to the Philippine Export Zone Authority (Peza) and received a “favorable” endorsement from Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena.

Monera said the Cebu City Council is also coming up with a resolution to support Osmena’s endorsement.

At present, a number of information technology (IT) buildings in CBP are registered as Peza enterprises.

Monera clarified that the incentives of a Peza-registered entity, such as income tax holidays and duty free importations, will only apply to qualified locators.

Ayala mall to be expanded anew in 2010

By Debra Magallon-Estero

MALL developer Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI) will set off another expansion project for the Ayala Center Cebu (ACC) within the first half of 2010.

Although CHI president Francis Monera did not disclose the actual budget of the project, he said the development will cost more than what was allocated for The Terraces project.

For The Terraces, which opened last year, CHI spent close to P1 billion.

In a press conference last Wednesday, Monera said the expansion project will complete the full circle design of the mall.

“The design is to provide more international and local brands to the Cebuanos,” he said.

The area to be developed covers the stretch from the corner of the Cebu City Marriott Hotel, the parking area across the Rustan’s supermarket and the parking area for public utility vehicles.

But Monera assured the public that there will still be an area for jeepneys.

The whole project will take two years to complete.

Aside from this, the Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) will also start the development of its residential condominium project at the Cebu Business Park (CBP).

Meanwhile, CHI is also working on the conversion of the CBP into an economic zone to create the same investor-friendly environment that the Asiatown IT Park (AITP) has.

Two months ago, CHI submitted its application to the Philippine Export Zone Authority (Peza) and received a “favorable” endorsement from Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena.

Monera said the Cebu City Council is also coming up with a resolution to support Osmena’s endorsement.

At present, a number of information technology (IT) buildings in CBP are registered as Peza enterprises.

Monera clarified that the incentives of a Peza-registered entity, such as income tax holidays and duty free importations, will only apply to qualified locators.