THE Ayala Land Inc. is developing a new growth center in Northern Mindanao, a 526-hectare estate located within the municipalities of Alubijid and Laguindingan in Misamis Oriental.
In a media briefing yesterday, Ayala executives introduced it as a “new center of trade and commerce in the region” and will be called Habini Bay. They will pour a total investment worth P14 billion for the project.
Habini is coined from words “habi” means to weave and “bighani” means captured or charmed.
Habini Bay's masterplan will be anchored by an industrial park to be managed by Laguna Technopark.
The Municipal Government of Laguindingan and the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental will relocate to Habini Bay, while projects such as hotel sites, sea port, provincial bus terminal, and a technical vocational school are also expected to rise in the estate.
A 30-meter-wide road right of way and along the coastline of the property connecting to the airport will allow easy access to Habini Bay's Industrial and mixed-use commercial sites, a sea port and other transport facilities.
It will also have pedestrian and bike-friendly roads to encourage a healthy modern lifestyle, the Ayala land Inc. said.
The new development is expected to generate about 40,000 jobs coming from locators, while 2,580 jobs will be available in its developmental stage.
Bobby Dy, Ayala Land president and chief executive officer, said Habini Bay will surely spur economic activity and development in the region.
“It is strategically located, with the airport already place, with the planned seaport, we will be able to have seamless connectivity. We remain committed here in Mindanao,” Dy said.
Ayala Land acquired the property in the 1960s and eventually donated 183 hectares to form part of the currently Laguindingan airport.
Habini Bay is the 55th growth center developed by Ayala in the country, and the 26th in the Visayas and Mindanao area.
Ayala's presence in Cagayan de Oro was established a decade ago when it opened Alegria Hills here. In 2012, it also opened Ayala Malls Centrio.
“Over the years, Ayala Land has been committed to enriching the way we love and to enhancing land nationwide. We focus on inclusive growth, sharing our expertise as a full-line property developer to communities around the country,” Jun Bisnar said, vice president and chief operating officer of Ayala Land Visays-Mindanao group.