CEBU-based Philippine BXT Corp. (PBXT), the operator of JPark Island Resort and Waterpark Cebu (JPark), will be earmarking at least P2 billion for a planned four-star resort project in Boracay.

The company, however, is still scouting for the “best location” either in Station One or Two of the island, where middle to high-end resorts are located.

PBXT chairman and president Justin Uy, in an interview yesterday, said they prefer a beachfront location for this project.

“We still have to see the Boracay properties referred to us because what is being currently offered are those located at the back. We want a beachfront location for this, preferably in Station One or Two,” said Uy.

He said the company is now ready to invest, should they find the “right and best location” for this resort project.

“We initially eye a four-star resort with 400 rooms,” said Uy.

He said they are keen on expanding their presence in Boracay following the island’s increased connectivity to other countries via the Kalibo International Airport.

At present, 12 airlines operate out of Kalibo International Airport. The airport offers non-stop flights to nine cities. Every week, at least 210 domestic flights and 91 international flights depart from Kalibo.

“The priority of the company is to expand in Boracay because there are already airlines going straight to Kalibo such as China and Taiwan,” said Uy.

As for its Cebu expansion, Uy, who also owns Profood International Corp., disclosed that they are upgrading their facilities in JPark in anticipation of the increased number of foreign tourists to Cebu, as new direct flights begin operating next month.

Uy said they will be adding 300 more rooms on top of JPark’s 556 existing rooms.

JPark is a 10-hectare theme-park resort in Barangay Maribago in Mactan Island. The wholly-Filipino owned company envisions to become a chain of resorts present in key tourism destinations in the country.

“The Philippines still has room to grow, as far as tourism is concerned. It is just that we don’t have the infrastructure. Our peers in ASEAN, like Thailand, have been getting bigger in terms of tourism. We would also like to achieve that because we’ve got also the best attractions here,” said Uy in previous interviews.