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Big shopping mall to rise in Caloocan

Caloocan City Mayor Oscar “Oca” Malapitan has revealed that the biggest shopping mall will eventually be built in the city, ending years of speculations that it is the only highly urbanized city in Metro Manila without it.

Malapitan broke the news during Friday’s groundbreaking of the proposed P200-million Caloocan City Medical Center-North (CCMC) which will be constructed at an acquired government property along Susano Road, Barangay 177, Camarin.

To the delight of those who witnessed the ceremonies, the mayor revealed that the SM management is building a huge three-story mall in an area, which used to be the Sangandaan Market along Samson Road.

“Finally after long years of waiting, Caloocan will now have SM shopping mall which will surely spur development all over the city as we expect more job opportunities for residents once it opens,” Malapitan said.

He, however, declined to give more details about the proposed SM shopping mall as to when it will be established though the area has already long been cleared indicating that the construction may start anytime soon.

“Now that we will have this biggest shopping mall to rise in the city, we can expect that popular restaurants and coffee shops like Starbucks will open their stores,” said Malapitan as he recalled that it was his campaign promise in 2013 to encourage top mall and big restaurant owners to do business in the city.

Regarding the proposed CCMC-North, Malapitan said the construction of the city-funded hospital will immediately start as soon as the winning contractor gets the notice to proceed with the project.

“This is the first and very important step towards the realization of a promise to bring quality health and medical services to the residents of Caloocan North. It will be a two-story, 50-bed hospital that will cater mostly to the underprivileged,” Malapitan said.
The Tribune was told that the proposed CCMC-North was originally set to be completed in two years’ time but Malapitan said he wanted it done after a year to the applause of the crowd.

City planning officer Cesar Chavez said the medical center will have a total floor area of at least 6,024 square meters and will feature a roof deck and a 54-slot parking space.

For her part, Ms. Betsy Luakian, chief of staff and secretary to the mayor, said the major project in the city’s northern part is estimated to generate about 250 construction-related jobs.

“The hospital alone is expected to have about 500 employees and staff once it opens,” she said.
Arlie O. Calalo

Source: http://www.tribune.net.ph/metro/big-shopping-mall-to-rise-in-caloocan