10,000 jobs expected

SEEING the growth in the information technology (IT) industry, property developer Arthaland expects around 10,000 jobs to be generated once Cebu Exchange is completed.

Arthaland president Jaime Gonzales, during the topping off ceremony of the first phase of Cebu Exchange on Monday, April 22, said 60 percent of the building is already sold.

“We’re seeing very strong demand from businesses that are looking for newer developments, not only in terms of construction, but also technology of the building. We were able to take advantage of the growth of the economy of Cebu by offering Cebu Exchange to the market,” Gonzales said.

Executive vice president Chris Narciso said most of their tenants are from business process outsourcing (BPO), knowledge process outsourcing and other local businesses.

“We are selling floor space in Cebu Exchange, so we have sold floor spaces to owners who will eventually occupy and use the floors and units, or lease them out to prospective locators. We’re looking at around 10,000 potential employees who will be working in this development,” he said.

Most of the common locators, Narciso said, came from BPO and other IT-related companies, which are mainstays in the Cebu business landscape.

The P8-billion, 39-storey development along Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City is targeted to be completed in mid-2021.

The building features 27 units in four floors of retail space, 945 parking slots and 316 office units.

Narciso said the building will also be the first in Cebu to have full destination management control for elevators.

“We will have 25 elevators for a single tower just to show you our commitment to efficiency and innovation,” he said.

Edgar Sabidong, vice president for technical services, explained that the elevators will be good for the environment and will provide employees the seamless lift to their respective floors.

“When they come in and they know where they’re going, automatically, the elevator has a scheme for them on the specific floor they will be going and is already noted in their card so there’s no more queuing,” he said.

It saves energy, since the elevators will only go to specific floors, Sabidong added.

Gonzalez also announced they are eyeing more project opportunities in Cebu.

“We are committed to expanding our projects in Cebu. We’re looking at other opportunities for other developments here in Cebu,” he said.

He said the same environment-friendly features will also be applied in future residential-type projects.