TACLOBAN City Mayor Alfred Romualdez has expressed elation over the reopening of Tacloban Robinsons Place amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
“It’s a good signal because it gives jobs to people. It also gives hope that the normal scene in the city will slowly return,” said Romualdez.
However, the mayor stressed to the public that health protocols are still in place in the city.
Robinsonsons Place Tacloban, the city’s biggest mall located in Barangay Marasbaras, was closed after the fire incident on October 23, 2019.
"Despite the logistical challenges brought about by the pandemic, the mall finally reopens. And so amid the fear, loneliness, and depression, it is our hope that the reopening of the mall will once again uplift the spirits of Taclobanons -- just like the old days," said Arlene Magtibay, Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) commercial centers division senior vice president and general manager.
The company also announced a "bigger, brighter, safer and eco-friendlier" mall in the city starting Friday, March 5, 2021.
“In the design itself, we infused the modern take of the finishing. It is now brighter and more refreshing as we put additional lights and new floors to make shopping a better experience,” May Adolfo, RLC senior regional manager for Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas, told the local media.
Adolfo said they will initially open 30 percent of its original 254 tenants while they targeted full operation by July 2021, citing logistical issues.
Bam Carlos, Robinsons Place Tacloban mall operations manager, reminded the mall-goers to strictly observe the health protocols, like the wearing of face mask and face shield, temperature checking, and social distancing.
According to the management, about 500 people have been employed with the reopening of the two-story mall.
Robinsonsons Place Tacloban, which opened in 2009, also withstood Super Typhoon Yolanda in November 2013. (SunStar Philippines)