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Key steps in finding the best retail space in Cebu

Cebu City has quickly become the economic center of the province and the whole Visayan region. With its bustling commercial profile, growing population of a consumer market, and a huge influx of local and international tourists, having a retail space in Metro Cebu is an attractive business opportunity for many Cebuanos.

Finding the best retail space in Cebu may be intimidating for some. Similar to choosing the ideal office location, deciding where to locate your business can be a major impact on your public presence, foot traffic, and revenue among others. Here are some key steps in finding the best retail space for your business in Cebu:

Set your Size Requirement

Hunting for a retail space in Metro Cebu should start on knowing what your business needs, especially the size you need to operate. It will also be beneficial to consider options that have provisions for expansion in the future.

Consider the Best Location

Location is always the top priority when it comes to choosing a commercial space for business. However, the best retail location in Cebu for your business should depend on more considerations such as the type of goods you sell, your target market, accessibility, and competition. The location can also determine other operational expenditures in the long run.

Accessibility for Employees and Clients

Your retail business’ location should be accessible not only to your clients and target market but also to your employees. Locating in an accessible location can promote a better work-life balance for your employees. Another factor is its proximity to key and other essential establishments.

Cap your Budget

Lease rates should also be one of the most crucial considerations in finding the best retail space for your business in Cebu. Locating in a space that is priced too high can affect your return on investment (ROI) and could put a strain on the business’ sustainability.

Inspect the Site

Before signing your lease, make sure to visit the actual space to learn more about it. Ask your broker about maintenance fees or other concessions you can enjoy if ever you sign as a tenant. It is important to visit the space to make sure that you can make use of it efficiently, make yourself familiar with the neighborhood, and plan for your next business steps.

Named as 2020’s Best Green Commercial Development, JEG Tower @ One Acacia is also offering retail spaces for businesses who want to locate in the heart of Metro Cebu. Get in touch with Lorenzo Rodriguez at (+63) 917-825-6884 to learn more about our offer.

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Wellness Ratings & The Office: Why it Matters

The global health crisis has undoubtedly highlighted the need for ‘healthier’ and safer buildings and public spaces. Now more than ever, people need a safer and healthier workplace. The ‘new normal’ presents an opportunity for companies to reevaluate the priorities for their employees and tenants and pivot towards a more sustainable approach in commercial real estate in the Philippines.

Driven by the growing consciousness and awareness of the public to the importance of such spaces, there is also an increasing appetite from investors and owners for buildings to implement more holistic measures which improve the spaces they offer to the public.

What is a Building ‘Wellness Rating’?

Wellness ratings aim to measure and recognize public spaces that provide utmost importance to the health and well-being of its tenants. These ratings are certifications that developers and property owners aspire to complete and achieve as a symbol of their commitment to building spaces that put a premium on the public’s welfare, especially in the new normal.

Wellness Ratings in the Philippines

In the Philippines, commercial developments can aim for LEED, BERDE, and WELL certifications to ensure the quality of spaces they construct and offer to the public.

LEED or the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Development is one of the certifications that buildings in the country can apply to ensure the safety, comfort, and security of the building’s occupiers.

Developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), it is an internationally recognized certification program that provides a third-party verification that a building was designed and built following strategies aimed to underscore the triple bottom line of sustainability: People, Planet, and Profit.

The ‘People’ concept of sustainability highlights the importance of the experience inside the building. It emphasizes how providing an ideal environment for occupants can contribute to their working performance, motivation, happiness, and its overall impacts on public health and society as a whole.

READ MORE: LEED’s Triple Bottomline: How JEG Tower @ One Acacia uplifts People, Planet, and Profit

BERDE, or the Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence, is a tool to assess, measure, monitor, and certify the performance of green building projects in the Philippines. Developed by the Philippine Green Building Council, this rating aims to ensure green buildings perform and follow existing national and local building and environmental laws, regulations, and mandatory standards in the country.

WELL, on the other hand, is a performance-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of the built environment that impact human health and wellbeing. Commercial buildings and establishments are evaluated through various elements that contribute and affect holistic well-being of the public including air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind.

Why is Wellness Important in the Office

Commercial developments and office buildings in the Philippines should aim to provide healthy and safe spaces for their tenants, employees, and occupants. Putting the public’s well-being on top of the priority will not only be a unique feature for an establishment but will also benefit the business in the long run.

Studies show that healthy and happy employees perform better and faster in the workplace, effectively increasing their output and boosting their motivation to work. Healthy workspaces also improve and maintain employee morale, fosters loyalty, and increase employee retention.

Moreover, a company that takes care of their employees by providing healthy and safe workspaces create a better and more ideal brand identity and reputation.

With its vision of Bringing Work to Life, JEG Tower @ One Acacia revolutionizes work and life balance by integrating sustainability and sophistication in its design and operations. Office spaces in this 22-storey commercial tower offer the best working environment, amplified by its unique green features and guided by LEED standards.

Interested to learn more? Connect with Lorenzo Rodriguez at (+63) 917-825-6884 to find out how you can locate your business in the best workplace in Cebu City.

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Why JEG Tower is the perfect new normal workplace

Even before the pandemic, JEG Tower @ One Acacia aimed to offer the best workplace in Cebu City. As businesses are more open to going back to the office, this 22-storey premium office building has focused on pivoting the evolving needs of the workplace in the post-lockdown business landscape.

Through the intelligent utilization of technology, sustainable design and construction methods, and integrated and holistic approach to the well-being of its occupiers, JEG Tower @ One Acacia is the perfect new normal workplace in the heart of Metro Cebu.

Defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), a healthy post-pandemic workplace should be a balance of occupational health and safety, as well as health promotion efforts and initiatives. According to the international health agency, “a healthy workplace is one in which workers and managers collaborate to use a continual improvement process to protect and promote the health, safety, and well-being of workers and the sustainability of the workplace by considering the following, based on identified needs.”

RELATED: Qualities of a Great Office: Why JEG Tower @ One Acacia is the Best Workplace in Cebu

Optimal Indoor Air Quality & Contactless Technology

JEG Tower @ One Acacia utilizes the MERV-13 air filters and Fresh Air System for optimal indoor air quality. The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values or MERV filters that can capture particles in the air from 0.3 and 10 microns (µm). Higher value in MERV ratings leads to better filtration, fewer dust particles, and other airborne contaminants. The tower’s MERV13 filter is one of the highest-grade filters in the industry that promotes an ideal indoor environment and eliminates the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew, or fungi.

The tower also uses the Fresh Air System that ensures the comfort of its tenants. According to the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), building occupants with little or no access to fresh air end up being more exposed to pollutants indoors compared to when they go outdoors. HVAC systems tend to circulate and recycle old air rather than drawing new and fresh air from the outside.

READ MORE: JEG Tower Focus: MERV and Fresh Air System for Optimal Indoor Air Quality

To address one of the most common health and safety concerns in common spaces, JEG Tower @ One Acacia has also integrated contactless and smart technology in all office floors and common areas in the building. Automatic sliding doors have been installed in the main entrance for touchless access. Motion-sensor bathroom fixtures are also made available for tenants to limit contact to surfaces in public areas.

JEG Tower also has stationed hands-free standing and desk temperature scanners to ensure the fitness of each employee or guest entering the premises.

The Destination-Oriented Assignment System (DOAS) elevators do not only manage crowds and limit contact, boost building security, but also assist in easier tracing or monitoring of foot traffic in the building. It is also one of the tower’s unique green and sustainable features as part of its pledge to sustainability and green real estate in Cebu.

Advocates of Holistic Health and Employee Well-being

JEG Tower in Cebu uplifts the health and wellness of its tenants. Committed to revolutionizing work and life balance, the building has designed office spaces to maximize the use of natural daylight, allow better indoor air quality in all work and common spaces, and organize initiatives to encourage healthier living for everyone.

Named as 2020’s Best Green Commercial Development in the Philippines, JEG Tower @ One Acacia is committed to providing a workplace that addresses the physiological, mental, and social needs of its employees and occupants.

By following global standards and optimizing building design and operations, it is one of the most ideal locations to work in Cebu City. JEG Tower puts a premium on its tenants’ health while practicing sustainability and energy efficiency.

Locate your business in Cebu City’s newest premium green building. Contact Lorenzo Martin E. Rodriguez at (+63) 917-825–6884. For leasing inquiries and more information, call us at (+63) 2-8403-5519 or send an email to info@kmcmaggroup.com.

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Vaccination of ‘economic workers’ to ease rising vacancy in Cebu City offices

After a full year in lockdown, Cebu’s office market has faced challenges in leasing and vacancy but still saw a few bright spots from January to March of 2021.

KMC data show that while Cebu IT Park and the Cebu Fringe continue to log increasing vacancies, Cebu Business Park has observed movement and absorption as BPO locators continue to choose the Visayan capital as the center of economic activity and ideal area of expansion outside Luzon.

According to KMC’s 1Q/2021 Office Briefing, both Cebu IT Park (CITP) and the Cebu Fringe continued to lose tenants, greatly contributing to the recorded 19.2% vacancy rate. Meanwhile, there was a recorded contraction of vacancies in the Cebu Business Park after 16,000 sq m of office space was occupied in the quarter.

Rental rates in CITP and the Cebu Fringe are also on a downward trend as landlords keep up with the increase in vacancies in both areas. On the contrary, office spaces within the Cebu Business Park posted a 0.3% higher rental rate. Average office rental rates in the Cebu Central Business District registered at PHP 577.6 per sq m / month, 2.3% lower than the start of the pandemic a year ago.

DOWNLOAD: KMC Cebu Office Briefing 1Q/2021

Around 117,300 sq m of new office supply is expected to be available before the end of the year. As consequent effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are still felt in the country, short-term demand is forecasted to remain muted and minimal as occupiers fare the new normal. There is, however, a slight improvement in various pre-leasing activities in the Cebu CBD, with the opportunity to occupy fresh spaces at current rates.

JEG Tower @ One Acacia is one of the office buildings that are expected to come online in 2021. Being one of the newest premium green buildings and PEZA accredited locations in the Cebu district, the 22-storey tower is expected to uplift the commercial pipeline for local businesses and multinational locators in the Visayan epicenter.

Vaccination of ‘Economic Workers’

As the local government’s vaccination rollout is now open to the A4 priority group (employees reporting to the office), more leasing activity is expected in Cebu City and its business districts in the coming months.

According to the Visayas Vaccination Operations Center (VVOC), a total of 28,661 individuals have already been inoculated with their first dose of the vaccine as of June 10. Of this number, 4,697 have already managed to complete their inoculation schedules.

Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Steven Yu said the business community in Cebu is hopeful that the economic revival in the province will come sooner or later as more people are encouraged to get the vaccine.

“As more A4s get vaccinated, they become our role models/ambassadors which convince anti-vaxxers to become pro-vaxxers. As early as a few days ago, we could see a sea wave of change of heart from people, and they are now willing to be vaccinated because more and more of their friends/relatives had been vaccinated,” Yu said. “The future looks bright, and we need to ensure that we will have sufficient quantities of vaccines coming in regularly,” he added.

Get more relevant, in-depth market insights in Cebu’s central business district in the new normal. Reach out to Lorenzo Rodriguez at (+63) 917-852-6884. Send us an email at info@kmcmaggroup.com or reach out to us at (+63) 2-8403-5519 to know more about how you can lease JEG Tower @ One Acacia.

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Greener Philippines: Achieving True Sustainability In Real Estate

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, leading property developers in the Philippines such as JEG Development Corporation have envisioned a greener approach to real estate. Apart from achieving premium green certifications such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), achieving true sustainability has been a distinctive feature as more green developments get built.

In the US, more cities are moving toward achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2025. Improving energy efficiency and sustainability across the current real estate portfolio has been well integrated into the community and urban planning in many countries including the Philippines. The increased demand for better workplaces and sustainable spaces is also due to the remarkable improvement in employee satisfaction.

A US study shows that a 27% increase in satisfaction was reported when individuals are placed inside a healthy building. Using environmentally friendly materials and focusing on indoor air quality have been identified as the key health aspects considered by occupants.

True sustainability goes deeper than having green amenities or features as it can only be achieved through the full-life-cycle approach. According to the Life Cycle Initiative, sustainability should be integrated at all stages of the design and build. Emissions at any stage of designing and construction should be properly tracked to match the claim.

These green considerations must be of vital importance from sourcing or manufacturing materials used to the facilities and amenities placed in the development. The approach also covers the inclusion of green spaces, energy and water efficiency or consumption, and waste management.

Approach On Being Distinctively Green

In the Philippines, JEG Tower @ One Acacia is one of Cebu’s most sustainable estates as it goes beyond the definition of green. Apart from creating premium spaces for work, JEG Development Corporation believes that an occupant-focused and wellbeing-centric approach is impactful on an economic level.

Employing the full-life-cycle approach, the building is created from recyclable construction materials as it utilized steel and cement from coal-fire powerplant waste.

READ MORE: Sustainability Report: How does JEG Tower @ One Acacia contribute to the People, Planet, and Profit?

It also integrated efficiency beyond energy, water, and waste by making sure that it is designed sustainably. Its operable windows prioritized efficiency over aesthetics to provide many key benefits such as optimal indoor air quality by allowing the flow of fresh air and natural light to space.

JEG Tower @ One Acacia has also touched on sustainable transportation by providing ample bike racks and shower rooms for cyclists. They also started an incentivized bike program for JDC employees to encourage fitness and reduce carbon emissions accordingly.

In terms of greenery, the Grade A tower has allocated pocket gardens inside the building and is committed to providing unique outdoor spaces to its occupants. Its groundbreaking green roof will showcase and be home to plants endemic to Cebu.

As with any urban development, JDC has remained steadfast in its pursuit to push for sustainability that does not only provides beautiful spaces but will provide many benefits to its occupants and local communities.

Locate in the greenest and best workplace in Cebu today. Contact Lorenzo Rodriguez at (+63)-917-825 6884 for listing inquiries and more information.

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Green growth: Why is Sustainability crucial for Cebu City

Next to Metro Manila, Cebu City is the second most populated area in the Philippines. Being the Visayan capital and the main economic stronghold outside Luzon, Metro Cebu rapidly became urbanized and dense as numerous BPO and multinational companies locate in the city and opened opportunities for locals and residents moving in from neighboring islands and provinces.

As the city’s corporate community expands, more commercial establishments were built and developed, especially in Cebu City’s main business district. However, an in-depth report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an independent organization that stimulates the economic progress and world trade, found that in order for the city to  keep  up  with  its  ‘rapid  urban  sprawl’ , sustainable real estate should be pushed in the city to encourage continued economic development while minimizing either negative ‘environmental externalities or the unsustainable consumption of natural resources and environmental assets’.

Sustainability in real estate has long been a standing movement in the industry. As the world became more aware of the importance of promoting health, wellness, and preserving the environment, the call for green real estate was also amplified in the Philippines, especially in Cebu.

Why is there a need for a greener Cebu?

In the same report by OECD, Metro Cebu’s economic steady economic growth and commercial real estate expansion are causing a strain on the other aspects of the city’s development. As mentioned in the report, the growth of Metro Cebu’s urban population has emphasized other potential weak spots in the city including an integrated public transportation system that can contribute to traffic congestion and pollution.

Keeping up with international building and commercial standards, homegrown developer JEG Development Corporation (JDC) advocates green buildings and sustainable real estate to raise the quality of work and office spaces within Cebu City. JEG Tower @ One Acacia is an award-winning commercial development, recognized for its state-of-the-art technology in promoting sustainability and health while complimenting its sophisticated design.

Led by third-generation Cebuano leaders, JDC pursues a more sustainable path as part of their contribution to their family’s legacy and to the green growth of the province. Chief Operating Officer Marko Sarmiento, Brand Manager Ayla Gomez, and Estate and Business Development Manager Stefan Garcia agree that guided by their company values, JDC’s main thrust is to enrich the lives of the communities where their properties are built.

“Integrity guides everything we do, and we are mindful of our impact on the environment and to the future generations of Cebuanos,” Gomez explained.

“We are a young and dynamic player in Cebu’s real estate industry, we’re making our contribution by having a long-term view in developing liveable and sustainable communities,” Sarmiento expressed in a previous interview. “We may be a relatively new player in the industry, but our local roots are strong and deep, which is why we are committed to always uplift Cebu through our properties especially with the many adjustments because of the pandemic,” he added.

Premium Standard in Green Real Estate

JEG Tower @ One Acacia is JDC’s flagship vertical project was the winner of the 2020 PropertyGuru Property Awards Philippines’ Best Green Commercial Development in the country. The 22-storey office and retail tower was also recognized by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) with a pre-certified Silver rating.

The tower uses green techniques and applies extensive plans for soil erosion, waste management, and air quality. Aiming to create a less polluted environment leads to better public health, which is very crucial in the post-pandemic era.

“By pivoting towards green development, Cebu would be a better place to live, work, and do business in, as this would reduce both pollution and illness by improving the air quality, waste management, and livability of our urban areas,” Garcia shared.

Discover why JEG Tower @ One Acacia is the best place to work in Cebu City. Contact Lorenzo Martin E. Rodriguez at (+63) 917-825-6884 to schedule a viewing today!

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JEG Tower @ One Acacia Set to Launch this Year

Amid the pandemic, JEG Tower @ One Acacia is finally nearing its completion and launch this year. Now with 97% of its structure done, the 22-storey premium green building is set to open its doors to the public by the first half of 2021.

The tower’s office and retail floors are already completed and are soon to be ready for turnover. Each office floor measures approximately 1,133 sq m, which can be leased whole or could be subdivided by prospect tenants.

JEG Tower @ One Acacia was hailed as the country’s Best Green Commercial Development and was shortlisted for Best Office Development at the PropertyGuru Property Awards in the Philippines last year. This milestone serves as a win for Cebu City’s expansion of sustainable development pipeline.

JEG Development Corporation (JDC)’s maiden high rise project is also the city’s newest PEZA accredited building. This LEED Silver Pre-certified building is also expected to achieve its Gold Certification from the US Green Building Council (USGBC) as it finishes construction this year.

Want to learn more about the best workplace in Cebu? Schedule a viewing today!

Unveiling of the Roof Deck Garden

What is left of the construction is the completion of the tower’s architectural crown jewel, its highly anticipated green roof deck on the 22nd floor. This distinct feature is one of JEG Tower’s dedicated green spaces, offering a breathable space for tenants and visitors in the building.

JEG Tower In Focus: Roof Deck Garden featuring Cebu’s Endemic Flora

As a proud homegrown real estate developer, JDC celebrates its Cebuano roots through its company and brand identity, especially through its high-rise venture in the real estate industry. The rooftop is set to feature purely endemic flora of Cebu such as:

  • White Kalachuchi Tree
  • Peacock Plant Shrub
  • Pandanus Shrub
  • Eugenia Shrub
  • Peace Lily
  • Yellow Iris

500YOC in Cebu

Complimenting legacy and heritage, the opening of JEG Tower @ One Acacia this year coincides with the celebration of the quincentenary of the establishment and promulgation of Christianity in the Philippines.

While relatively being one of the new kids on the real estate and construction block in Cebu City, JEG Development Corporation traces a long history of celebrating the Cebuano heritage through the legacy of its namesake, Jose E. Garcia, who also founded the company in 1994.

GET TO KNOW JEG DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

With diverse real estate developments in Cebu City, JDC is a proud homegrown developer who always puts forward the well-being and welfare of their fellow Cebuanos.

“JDC’s main thrust has always been to enrich the lives of the communities where our properties are built. We may be a relatively new player in the industry, but our local roots are strong and deep, which is why we are committed to always uplift Cebu through our properties especially with the many adjustments because of the pandemic,” Marko Sarmiento, JDC’s Chief Operating Officer said.

Recovering Economy

Many local economists are optimistic that Cebu’s economy will pick up soon as more and more people receive the vaccine. The Cebu Chamber of Commerce Industry (CCCI) has expressed its support to the government’s vaccination program, expressing that this will be the key to the local industry’s gradual economic recovery.

By introducing state-of-the-art technology and innovative sustainable features, JEG Tower @ One Acacia serves as a game-changer and pacesetter as businesses slowly transition back to normal operations in Cebu City.

READ MORE: JEG Development Corporation Underscores Sustainability as Key to Cebu’s Economic Recovery

“Even before the pandemic, we have always envisioned JEG Tower to be the game changer that challenges the perspective of businesses when it comes to the workplace,” the company’s Brand Manager Ayla Gomez added. “We want to encourage them to put a high priority to providing a healthier workplace, because we see the greater impact on our overall wellbeing and the world we live in,” Gomez said.

More than developing a premium green building, JDC strives to provide a healthy and safe space for the Cebuanos and business occupiers that will expand in Cebu.

“By pivoting towards green development, Cebu would be a better place to live, work and do business in, as this would reduce both pollution and illness by improving the air quality, waste management, and livability of our urban areas,” Stefan Garcia, JDC’s Estate Manager, shared. “JEG Tower is built using green techniques, with management plans for soil erosion, waste management, and air quality. A less polluted environment ensures better health, especially lung health, which proved to be a key factor for people during this pandemic,” he reiterated.

Stay tuned for JEG Tower @ One Acacia’s launch! Visit www.jegtower.com for more information.

Interested in leasing? Contact Lorenzo Rodriguez at (+63)-917-825 6884. You may also call us at (+63) 2-8403-5519 or send an email to info@kmcmaggroup.com.

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JEG Tower In Focus: Roof Deck Garden featuring Cebu’s Endemic Flora

One of the most distinguishing features of JEG Tower @ One Acacia is its unique green roof that makes the 22-storey commercial tower a standout in the Cebu City skyline. This roof deck garden offers a dedicated green space in the middle of the cityscape to tenants and visitors of the buildings.

As a proud homegrown real estate developer, JEG Development Corporation (JDC) celebrates its Cebuano roots through their company and brand identity, especially through their first high-rise venture in the real estate industry. The rooftop is set to feature purely endemic flora of Cebu such as:

  • White Kalachuchi Tree
  • Peacock Plant Shrub
  • Pandanus Shrub
  • Eugenia Shrub
  • Peace Lily
  • Yellow Iris

Aside from pushing for a greener Cebu, JDC has also partnered with local businesses, suppliers, and contractors in the completion of the commercial development. JEG Tower @ One Acacia becomes a portfolio of Cebuano skills, talents, and heritage.

READ MORE: Cebuano Pride: How JEG Development Corp. partners with local businesses to showcase expertise and culture

Planting the ‘Right’ Trees

Choosing endemic flora to be featured in JEG Tower’s roof deck garden also allows the improvement and continuity of the local natural landscape in Cebu. Planting native species of greenery leads to better utilities management and savings. Since these trees and plants are familiar with the local climate, they do not need extra resources to thrive and flourish.


Preserving Cebu’s Biodiversity

As the economic center of the Visayan Region, Cebu is rapidly becoming a concrete jungle, especially in the Cebu Central Business District and the metropolis. According to reports, deforestation is one of the main environmental issues of the region because of population growth, rampant urbanization, and small-scale mining.

Combating Air Pollution

In 2019, the air quality in Cebu City was officially declared as ‘unhealthy’ by the Environment Management Bureau (EMB-7). The government organization has urged the public to take safety precautions to combat this environmental problem.

Cebu City Councilor Alvin Dizon told the media in January that the local government unit will push for more initiatives and encourage the business sector to help decrease the air pollution levels in the province.

“While we cannot totally eliminate air pollution given that this is one of the realities of rapid urbanization, we can at least make investments to lower the levels of air pollution in our city to improve the cardiovascular, respiratory, and mental health of our people, both in the short and long run,” Dizon said.

Extensive planting within city centers is now widely recognized as a means of improving air quality. Scientists and researchers also encourage the creation of as many green spaces within cities to reduce the number of polluting air particles and compounds. Plants also reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and produce more oxygen.

Building green roofs also benefit the building’s tenants and occupiers by contributing to sound reduction, improves workplace aesthetic, reduces ambient temperature, and regulates indoor temperature. Roof deck gardens also help in saving energy and encourage biodiversity in the citray.

RELATED: How Green Roofs Help the Environment

JEG Tower @ One Acacia is Cebu’s newest PEZA accredited premium green building. Being named the country’s Best Green Commercial Development in 2020, the tower serves as a milestone in the Visayan Region’s shift to sustainability.

As the concept of sustainability gets redefined to encompass a holistic approach in real estate, a building’s green features do not only lessen the negative impacts to the environment, but also provide an ideal space for the physical and mental well-being of the building’s tenants. Dedicated to offering the best workplace in Cebu City, JEG Development Corporation is set to open a unique and impressive architectural feature in JEG Tower @ One Acacia.

Want to learn more about the tower’s green advantage and benefits? Contact Lorenzo Rodriguez at (+63)-917-825 6884. For listing inquiries and more information, call us at (+63) 2-8403-5519 or send an email to info@kmcmaggroup.com.

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Making Waves in the Workplace: Why the Real Estate Industry Needs More Women Leaders

Having female leaders is usually a feat for most companies, but JEG Development Corporation was bound to set new standards from the beginning. Being one of the first few local developers in Cebu, the company is grounded on tradition set by its namesake, Jose E. Garcia, but continues to dare and challenge norms to continue his legacy. Third generation leader, Ayla Gomez, smashes stereotypes and breaks barriers as one of the executive committee members of JDC while advocating for women empowerment and sustainability in the workplace.

“I wouldn’t say it was a dream to be an executive or specifically to be in real estate,” Ayla expressed. “I did, however, have hopes of being able to lead effectively in whatever path I chose to take, and to be able to contribute something of value, and be a team player.”

Breath of Fresh Air

Representing the family business as the brand manager, Ayla stands out as one of the young women who dare to redefine women’s roles in leadership and real estate. Having a background in marketing, design, and business, Ayla applies a different approach in working on JEG Tower @ One Acacia’s branding: she ensures they remain as authentic as possible to their identity and genuinely stand by what the award-winning building represents.

JEG Tower @ One Acacia is JDC’s first vertical development. Despite being arguably the new kids on the block, the 22-storey premium green building has already been recognized as the Philippines’ Best Green Development and was shortlisted as Best Office Development by PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards.

READ MORE: JEG Tower @ One Acacia wins Best Commercial Green Development

“We are a small company, even smaller when I came in, and we were starting our first vertical project,” Ayla shared. “I remember thinking back then, “This can be challenging.”, but of course, being small has its advantages which we look at as a strength of ours.” 

Fast forward years after, JEG Tower @ One Acacia is nearing its opening and launch. It is dubbed as the best place to work in Cebu City after earning a LEED Silver Pre-certification and an accreditation from PEZA. 

Green Branding Redefined

Being “green” is not all about being environmentally friendly today. For a homegrown company like JDC, this project means a way of giving back to the people of Cebu. While constructing a green building is more expensive compared to building normal ones, JDC carries its company values of integrity, visionary, and fortitude.

“If they are building something, we are doing it the best way possible,” Ayla expressed. “We want to make them feel valuable, staying true to JEG Tower’s main vision of revolutionizing work and life balance.”

READ MORE: Defining Innovation in Real Estate

The importance of green buildings is being emphasized much more today as the world faces a global health crisis in the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, green buildings encompass a holistic approach in real estate, where sustainability is measured in providing a safe and healthy space for building occupants, while minimizing the harmful effects of construction and operations on the environment.

“I felt very strongly about the project and the sustainable direction it was leading in. I was excited to be part of one of the first movers in Cebu real estate to recognize this importance and to help bring this to the forefront in the community here,” she said. 

Inspiring More ‘Girl Bosses 

Gone are the times that it is unconventional for companies to have female leaders. In fact, Ayla shared an interesting trivia: “According to the Grant Thornton 2020 Women in Business Survey, 43% of female executives in the country hold senior leadership roles, and the Philippines ranked first as having the most number of female executives. This is definitely inspiring!”

Progressive companies and more ‘tenacious, compassionate, and collaborative’ women leaders work hand in hand in normalizing how gender does not define nor limit brilliance nor competence in leadership.

“One challenge that women leaders face is having to assert ourselves more because most industries are still very much male dominated, which puts women on an uneven playing field,” she shared. “Most times, a woman’s competence is questioned and criticized more than of a man’s.”

Despite this, Ayla inspires more girl bosses and women leaders to eliminate inequality and stereotypes in the industry. “The gender bias or double standard is prevalent and is something that women are fighting to change. Women continue to break the glass ceiling and make waves in the workplace.”

Representing JEG Development Corporation and fellow women, Ayla calls for an inclusive workplace for all in working towards a ‘gender-balanced’ society. “Be proactive. Let us continue to make our voices heard and make others listen,” she stated. “Whether it is for equal pay or more representation in the company, let us push for action to evaluate, identify, and prevent an unconscious bias.”

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Cebu’s COVID vaccination kicks off this week, signals region’s economic recovery

The first batch of COVID-19 vaccine is set to arrive in Cebu by the first week of March. As the Philippines’ vaccination program officially kicked off in Manila, the Department of Health (DOH) announced that doses allotted for Cebu and Davao are already in transit.

“We are already transporting the vaccine this coming March 3 and 4 to Cebu, and to Davao on March 5 and 6,” vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. told the media. The official also committed an ‘equitable distribution’ of Sinovac dosses across the country. He also disclosed that allocated vaccines to the Visayan Region will be delivered to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

DOH-7 spokesperson Dr. Mary Jean Loreche has also confirmed that the province will begin its vaccination program as soon as the doses arrive, prioritizing the medical frontliners and local healthcare workers. “Based on the meeting this morning (Sunday), the target for Visayas (Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center), is March 4,” Dr. Loreche said.

To prepare for the vaccination roll out, the local government of Cebu has already started profiling priority groups who will receive the vaccine. According to local officials, this step is crucial to prevent any complications as senior citizens and other sectors of the community get inoculated.

Improving economy

Dr. Loreche also confirmed that the province will remain to be under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) until March 15 as advised by the DOH’s technical advisory council (TAC). This earned the nod of Cebu’s business sector which expressed that the economic revival of the province and its tri-cities: Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu would greatly rely on a successful vaccination program against the pandemic.

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Felix Taguiam also expressed his support for the local vaccination program, saying that this should be the signal the recovery of the economy in Cebu and the Visayas.

“We have to do more. At least we can go on with the economy at work which will surely help so many people. Minimum health standards must be strictly enforced by our authorities with no special treatment and we are hoping in the next few weeks, we will see the downtrend,” he said.

He also urged member organizations and companies to allocate budget for the vaccination of their employees to ensure their safety as the province slowly reopen its economy amid the pandemic.

Want to discuss more business opportunities in Cebu City? Contact Lorenzo Rodriguez at (+63) 917-825-6884. For inquiries and more information, call us at (+63) 2-8403-5519 or send an email to info@kmcmaggroup.com.