Development of old airport into business park to kick off next year
Megaworld Corporation's Executive and Senior Vice President Kingson U. Sian projected that development at the old airport site in Mandurriao district will start early next year. The development will take place as soon the development master plan with the concept of "live-work-play-learn community" is done.
Megaworld hired the topnotch services of architectural firm Palafox Associates in drafting a development master plan for the old airport lot. The development at the upcoming business park will depend on the demand, said Sian.
The future business park will have a Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO), residential, hotel, convention center, commercial and retail outlets, skills training center and recreation facilities. This is the first major investment of Megaworld outside Manila. "Megaworld is bullish and committed to Iloilo," said Sian.
As soon as the development master plan is completed, the ground work will start. The corporation will hire local workers as initial work opportunities they can offer to Ilonggos prior to the business park's operation.
Sian considers having business in the city as "wise investment." He said one of the key factors for success is manpower availability. We are satisfied with the quality of labor here particularly in hosting Business Process Outsourcing (BPO).
Sian along with other top Megaword officials made rounds in several universities in Iloilo City last week to check on the manpower capability of Iloilo City. Manpower, stable power supply and telecommunications are among the key factors that the corporation wants to strengthen as they envision a live-work-play-learn community for Iloilo City.
Sian is also confident that the city will address their power needs as soon as they start the business. Initially, they need 35 megawatts of power. The availability of power is a major factor in BPO operation. The call centers operate in 24/7 basis.
Other than power, manpower and telecommunication, the corporation is likewise looking into the fate of the occupants of the airport. The eviction of the families and offices will be a joint effort of the corporation and the local government unit, said Sian.