Isabela , Philippines — Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) is building
its first mall in Cagayan Valley Region — with the aim of solidifying its network in the north which will be the 34thin its
nationwide chain.
Robinsons Malls is one of the largest shopping malls and retail operator in the Philippines. It was incorporated on September 9, 1997 by Chinese Filipino entrepreneur John Gokongwei, Jr. to develop, conduct, operate and maintain the Robinsons commercial shopping centers and all businesses related thereto, such as the lease of commercial spaces within the compound of shopping centers. Its main competitor is SM Prime Holdings, Inc and Shangri-la Plaza Mall. It has 33 operating branches as of September 2012.
The firm said Robinsons Place Isabela will be a three-story mall featuring a vibrant, modern design. It will have a gross floor area of 38,725 square meters and a gross leasable area of about 26,200 sqm.
The full-service mall will be built on a 4.2-hectare lot in Barangay Mabini and is strategically located along the Maharlika Highway.
According to Arlene G. Magtibay, RLC General Manager for Commercial Centers Division, Robinsons Place Isabela will house a two-level Robinsons Department Store and a Robinsons Supermarket at the ground level as its anchor tenants.
It will likewise feature Robinsons Appliance Center and Handyman as well as an Amusement Center and four all-digital cinemas with a combined seating capacity of more than 1,000.
Robinsons Place Isabela will also have the most popular fashion and specialty shops, quick service restaurants, casual dining outlets, a food court and service shops.
With accessibility as a primary design consideration, the development provides for a tricycle terminal, a jeepney terminal and a bus lay-by. It also has parking slots that can accommodate 640 cars as well as 900 motorcycles.
Santiago City is considered the center of commerce and trade in Isabela. It is home to thousands of business enterprises, and numerous banks, educational institutions and manufacturing companies.
The city also houses some of the biggest and highly equipped hospitals in the region.
Agriculture is the main source of livelihood and the main crops are palay, corn, high value fruits, and vegetables.
The city is the trading station for grains and other agricultural crops coming from Ifugao, Kalinga, Quirino, Nueva Viscaya and other parts of Isabela. Robinsons Land Corporation is currently operating 32 shopping malls nationwide.
This year, the company opened three malls in Pangasinan, Palawan and Quezon City and is poised to open five malls in 2013.