Pag-IBIG supports Mindoro housing program

The Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or Pag-IBIG has predicted a potential investment of around P 3 to 4 million in Xevera Neo Calapan, touted as a major vehicle for economic change in Mindoro and the entire Region IV, with housing opportunities that cater to all market segments.
    
This was announced by Jaime Fabiaña, Pag-IBIG chief executive officer, as he expressed support for the landmark mixed-use property development located in the Oriental Mindoro capital of Calapan City.  

Situated within Neo Calapan, a 100-hectare prime property at the heart of the capital, Xevera Neo Calapan is a joint project between Xevera Neo-Calapan Development Corporation, subsidiary of Globe Asiatique Realty Holdings Inc., and Filipiniana Resorts Development Corporation (FRDC), flagship company of Neo Calapan.  

Housing:  the way toward progress
The multi-billion residential-commercial complex offers affordable single-detached and townhouse units, with delivery of the first batch totaling 275 units scheduled for March 2010.

According to Fabiaña, Pag-IBIG’s low interest rates and extended repayment periods will facilitate home ownership for buyers of Xevera Neo Calapan’s residential units. “The financing package is even strengthened by Republic Act 9679, or the Home Development Mutual Fund Law of 2009, which infuses more funds into the agency to pump up benefits to Pag-IBIG members,” Fabiaña said.  

By offering livable communities that are affordable at the same time, the project aligns itself with Neo Calapan’s objective of boosting Mindoro’s socio-economic development. “By allowing more Mindoro folk to acquire their dream homes and build a better future for their families, Xevera Neo Calapan is expected to help reduce poverty and steer Oriental Mindoro and the rest of Region IV toward long-term, sustainable development,” revealed Joseph Arnold P. Valencia, president of FRDC, owner-developer of Filipiniana Calapan Resort Hotel.    

Jobs and livelihood:  Economic booster

Valencia also stressed that significant housing developments like Xevera Neo Calapan will set the pace for a multiplier effect that will ignite a business uptrend in other industries thus benefiting more people.  “Employment and livelihood opportunities are also set to emanate from a major real estate project,” Valencia explained. “It starts from the project’s construction phase, when jobs are provided to carpenters, welders, and other skilled workers. Eventually, more professionals and workers from allied industries will be needed to complete the project - interior designers, painters, landscape architects, furniture makers, and the like so that even more jobs will be available.  This trend will extend beyond Mindoro toward other parts of the region, thus contributing to eonomic progress and sealing Region IV’s reputation as one of the country’s vital growth areas,” Valencia said.  

Once completed, Xevera Neo Calapan will also house Mindoro’s largest and only first-class mall, convenience stores, shops and boutiques, wellness and spa centers, amusement arcade, play area, food gallery, IT zone, regional government center, school and church, aside from its residential area.

(Manila Bulletin, December 14, 2009)

Xevera Neo Calapan - site of MIMAROPA RGC

The MIMAROPA Regional Development Council (RDC IV-B) recently issued Resolution No. 029-155-2009, approving Xevera Neo Calapan, a 50-hectare choice property at the heart of Calapan City, as site of the MIMAROPA Regional Government Center (RGC).

Located at Barangay Sto. Niño along the Strong Republic Nautical Highway, Xevera Neo Calapan combines residential, commercial, institutional, and recreational facilities.  The sprawling business and tourism zone is dubbed as the New City Development and deemed to be Calapan City’s most important landmark and major economic driver of the future. 

Pursuant to Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Executive Order No. 682, Calapan City has been officially selected as RGC for MIMAROPA region (Region IV-B), composed of Mindoro Oriental and Occidental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan, thus directing regional line agencies (RLAs) and other government institutions to relocate to Oriental Mindoro’s capital in order to streamline government services. 

The RDC IV-B also issued Resolution No. 029-156-2009, approving the BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) scheme for the development of the RGC and for the procurement of office space by the relocating RLAs. 
At present, satellite offices have been temporarily established in the city to start operations and services to the region.  Eventually, the 39 regional line agencies and other institutions that will comprise the government center will occupy a 5-hectare area of Xevera Neo Calapan.   

Tasked as lead entity in the development and establishment of the RGC is the City Government of Calapan, through City Mayor Salvador C. Leachon, who endorsed Xevera Neo Calapan to RDC IV-B through Oskar D. Balbastro, RDC vice-chair and National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Region IV-B director. 

The City Government, through its Technical Working Group, has found Xevera Neo Calapan to be flood free, accessible, and proximate to the central business district, prompting the former to give its thumbs up to the residential-commercial property after careful assessment of other proposed sites.

The project development is fully supported by Mindoro local leaders, owing to its potentials as an economic stimulus to the province in providing housing, employment and livelihood opportunities as well as business and tourism activities.

Aside from the RGC, Xevera Neo Calapan will also house Mindoro’s largest and only first-class shopping mall, 4,000 affordable shelter units, techno park, school and a church, among others.  With Phase I construction now underway, owner-developer Xevera Neo-Calapan Development Corporation confirms its full-blast efforts to build and complete the cluster of office buildings that will make up the MIMAROPA RGC. 

(Manila Bulletin, November 18, 2009)

Calapan District Set to Rev Up Business Climate

Xevera Neo Calapan, a 50-hectare first-class property development featuring residential, commercial, institutional and recreational facilities, is set to rev up business activities in Calapan City and contribute significantly to its socio-economic development.  

In time for the scheduled December launching of Xevera Neo Calapan Phase I in Oriental Mindoro, RGV Real Estate Center, Inc., project exclusive marketing manager, recently conducted a whole-day training seminar on lease management among its officers, staff and sales agents. 

Held at the RGV Center office in Makati, seminar principal speaker Ms. Divine Lee, vice president for marketing of owner-developer Xevera Neo-Calapan Development Corporation, shared the experience and practice of its mother company, Globe Asiatique Realty Holdings Corporation, in the professional management and administration of its existing shopping malls at its twin commercial centers at the Xevera Bacolor and Xevera Mabalacat in Pampanga.

Lee presented the widely accepted policies and guidelines governing the Lessor-Lessee relationship which includes lease rates for commercial units, lease period, manner of payment, security deposit, common use service areas (CUSA), security and maintenance, among others.

On the other hand, Joanna Marie P. Valencia, RGV Center president, disclosed that already there are no less than 369 interested businessmen in Calapan City who have submitted their letters of intent. 

Fronting the Strong Republic Nautical Highway, the first building in Phase I will house commercial units evenly distributed in three (3) levels.  Its ground floor is allotted for anchor establishments of Metro Manila-based food chains and restaurants.  Banks and business establishments could occupy the second level while the upper floor is reserved for fine dining.

Valencia added that as the project exclusive marketing manager, RGV Center is now ready to accept and process applications for lease of commercial units.  Within the whole month of October, RGV Center will handle documentation and final execution of the enabling lease contracts. 

The formal turnover of the commercial units to the lessees will take place on November 30, preparatory to the grand launching of the project in December signaling the start of the mall’s business operations during the holidays.
 
(Manila Bulletin, October 28, 2009)