/PNA
BACOLOD CITY — Luxury mall developer Ayala Malls opened here Friday the PHP5.2-billion Capitol Central, a seven-level commercial establishment, showcasing the best homegrown concepts of Negros Occidental.
Capitol Central is the second mall development of Ayala Land, Inc.’s (ALI) real estate subsidiary in Negros Occidental after The District North Point in the neighboring Talisay City.
Jose Emmanuel Jalandoni, ALI senior vice president and head for Commercial Business Group, said the opening of the Capitol Central marks the 33th year of their partnership with Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.
This started when the annual Negros Trade Fair was first staged at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City in 1985, he noted.
“Thank you for the opportunity to work with everyone from Negros. It is a privilege for Ayala to be your partner,” said Jalandoni, who was joined by Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia during the mall’s opening event.
Once fully operational, the mall will provide about 6,000 jobs to Negrenses, he added.
The PHP5.2-billion project cost includes PHP5 billion for mall development and PHP200 million for an integrated business processing outsourcing (BPO) facility.
Capitol Central, located along Gatuslao St. behind the Provincial Capitol building, is the second largest Ayala Malls development in Visayas and Mindanao. It features the Fiesta Negrense, highlighting locally-produced products, and the Central Bazaar, serving as incubator to support local start-up businesses.
The shopping mall is occupied by 100 inline and 160 specialty merchants. In 2019, at least 60 more merchants will open for business.
Other amenities include a food court, a chapel, a trade hall with four function rooms, and cinemas.
Clavel Tongco, area head for Visayas-Mindanao Operations of Ayala Malls, said the multi-level BPO spaces totaling to 8,000 sq. meters are still open for lease.
Meanwhile, Marañon thanked Ayala Land for the trust and confidence in Negros Occidental.
The property giant’s latest project will be a catalyst for progress and change in the province, he added.
For his part, Leonardia said ALI’s move to come to Bacolod was a right and wise decision.
“We assure you that you will have a business climate that is conducive for growth,” the mayor added.
