NO less than Caloocan Mayor Oca Malapitan has revealed that the biggest shopping mall, SM, will eventually be built, ending years of speculations that it’s the only highly-urbanized city in Metro Manila without it.
He broke the news during recent groundbreaking of the proposed P200-million Caloocan City Medical Center-North (CCMC) which will be constructed at an acquired government property along Susano Road, Barangay 177, Camarin.
To the delight of those who witnessed the ceremonies, the former lawmaker-turned-mayor revealed that the SM management is building a huge three-storey mall in an area, which used to be the Sangandaan Market along Samson Road.
“Finally after long years of waiting, Caloocan will now have SM shopping mall which will surely spur development all over the city as we expect more job opportunities for residents once it opens,” he says.
He adds: “Now that we will have this biggest shopping mall to rise in the city, we can expect that popular restaurants and coffee shops like Starbucks will open their stores.”
Regarding the proposed CCMC-North, the mayor says the construction of the city-funded hospital will immediately start as soon as the winning contractor gets the notice to proceed with the project.
“This is the first and very important step towards the realization of a promise to bring quality health and medical services to the residents of Caloocan North. It will be a two-storey, 50-bed hospital that will cater mostly to the underprivileged,” he says.
City planning officer Cesar Chavez says it will have a total floor area of at least 6,024 square meters and will feature a roof deck and a 54-slot parking space.
Ms. Betsy Luakian, chief of staff and secretary to the mayor, is saying that the major infrastructure project in the city’s northern part is estimated to generate about 250 construction-related jobs.
“The hospital alone is expected to have about 500 employees and staff once it opens,” she says.
Mayor Malapitan has hailed the support and dedication of city officials and employees as he equally expresses his gratitude to the Sangguniang Panlunsod led by its presiding officer Vice Mayor Maca Asistio III and its members led by Councilors Aurora ‘Onet’ Henson, Tino Bagus, Obet Samson, Carol Cunanan, Dean Asistio and Along Malapitan, the mayor’s son.
“I can’t do it alone, that’s why I am extra gratified by the support and dedication of the city officials particularly the city council. With them, I can assure the people of Caloocan of more pro-poor and pro-people programs and projects in the coming years,” Mayor Malapitan says.
Mr. Chavez was quoted as saying: “Some 27 years have passed and three mayors had led the city but there was no single hospital we could truly call our own was built during their times. However, our current mayor took only about 100 days to realize the long-time dream for the city people.” GOOD RIDDANCE/Arlie Calalo