Gov. Erico Aristole “Aris” Aumentado is saying that big retail outlet investors are keen in building big malls in Bohol, but as to when the huge shopping centers will start to grace Bohol’s skylines, no one knows. The governor says that there is no definite timetable for this.
This was what the governor bared during the weekly press conference at the Capitol on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022.
The governor said that he received assurances that big mall operators are willing to invest in Bohol. He added that there are some retail operators who are in the process of looking for potential areas where they can build their huge malls.
Many Boholanos are pinning their hopes on Aumentado to convince the big mall operators such as SM, Ayala and the Robinsons, among others to establish their presence in the province.
So far, only homegrown retailers have malls in Bohol and they are the Alturas Group of Companies, Bohol Quality Corporation and Shoppers’ Mart.
“Well, confirmed na sila [big mall operators] musulod. Pero moingon ta within my term, dili pod ko makasulti kay dili man kita ang tag-iya sa ilang mga kwarta,” the governor quipped.
The statement of the governor is a complete departure from what he said on June 30, 2022 when, at the sidelines of a business conference in Panglao after he was sworn as the new governor of Bohol, Aumentado said that the lack of real estate makes it difficult for retail investors to build big malls here.
Now, it seems the retail investors found enough reason to confirm with the governor their intention to invest in the retail industry of the province.
Aumentado said that the SM group is arriving in Bohol by the first week of September to have a meeting with him.
Moreover, the Robinson’s group is reportedly looking for suitable real estate where they can build a mall.
The Puregold group is also busy looking for an area where to build its retail outlet in Bohol.
Aumentado said the retail outlet investors are keen on acquiring land within Tagbilaran City.
The governor also bared that he even asked the hierarchy of the local Catholic Church for the possible use of the old Holy Spirit School of Tagbilaran campus and convert it into a mall area.
This is not a far fetched idea considering the fact that the Alturas Group of Companies managed to convert the old Holy Name University campus along Lesage street in Poblacion 2, Tagbilaran City, into the Alta Citta Mall.