Saturday, October 11, 2008 Lawmaker cites Xevera Bacolor developer By Reynaldo G. Navales
CLARK FREEPORT -- Pampanga First District Representative Carmelo "Tarzan" Lazatin has cited the developer of Xevera Bacolor, Globe Asiatique, saying it has plotted the template for urban development.
Lazatin said Delfin Lee, owner of Globe Asiatique, has demonstrated his capacity to solve the country's housing problem by building communities like Xevera Bacolor, Xevera Mabalacat, and The Enclave in Angeles City.
"If there is one person that can help uplift the lives of Filipinos by solving the problem of informal settlers in the country - that will be Delfin Lee," the lawmaker said.
Xevera Bacolor and the ongoing construction of Xevera Mabalacat are proof of what urban development should be - a feat worth emulating by other subdivision developers, according to Lazatin.
His statement was an offshoot of the United Nation's (UN) recent mention of Xevera Bacolor in their website citing the subdivision project as a means to "help decongest highly-urbanized areas."
The distinction stemmed after Xevera Bacolor participated in the promotion of World Habitat Day 2008 last October 6 as part of the UN's bid to create awareness on the basic right to adequate shelter.
According to the UN, the Xevera project is "an economic-housing complex that literally rose from the ashes in Barangay Calibutbut, Bacolor town."
Lee was also described by the UN as "a developer who, through harmonious relationships among the private sector, government sector, and various non-government organizations, has come up with a sustainable project."
"We are honored by this distinction from the United Nations. Such merit will further inspire us to provide optimum services for the betterment of the lives of Filipinos," Lee said in response.
The UN chose the theme of Harmonious Cities for 2008 to raise awareness about the problems of rapid urbanization, its impact on the environment, the growth of slums, and the urbanization of poverty as more and more people teem into towns and cities looking for a better life.
It has designated the first Monday of October each year as World Habitat Day. The idea is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right to adequate shelter for all. It is also intended to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat.
Lazatin said the Xevera projects in Bacolor and Mabalacat are "townships for middle class homeowners amid a luxurious setting. "I am also a developer but with what he (Lee) did to Xevera, he upped the ante making it a difficult challenge for us to emulate this feat."
Xevera, said Lee, is a complete community boasting of high-quality amenities including clubhouse, church, commercial area, town hall, wet and dry market, Olympic-size swimming pool, and a school run by the ABS-CBN Foundation, in cooperation with the Department of Education.
He added that Globe Asiatique has donated the town hall to the municipality of Bacolor and likewise a church to the Archdiocese of Pampanga.
The townhouses, which could be owned by an individual for as low as P5,000 monthly, are reminiscent of Spain's exuberant lifestyle, said Lee.
He added that the amenities and other structures are already in place even before the first units have been sold.
The Enclave, which is also being developed by Globe Asiatique, is being poised as a retirement village for expatriates and other foreign businessmen based inside the Clark Freeport.
