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Why Lease an Office Space in Cebu City?

The Queen City of the South, Cebu is more than just a popular tourist destination in the Philippines. Its bustling economy, supported by local business policies, big-ticket infrastructure projects, and rich real estate portfolio, Metro Cebu is now one of the most attractive investment locations in the country.\

Here are some of the reasons why you should lease an office space in Cebu City: 
 
PREMIUM COMMERCIAL SPACES 

Cebu City boasts of a huge portfolio of office and retail buildings that offer premium and tech-capable spaces to aid in the expansion of businesses in the Visayan region. Many developments are also designed and built to support and accommodate the needs of its occupiers, including IT-BPO locators. Over the past few years, the BPO industry became one of the drivers of the province’s economy and business landscape. 

 
According to KMC Savills data, Cebu City’s office market continued to show improvement during the last quarter of 2021. The net office take-up of almost 16,000 sq m. It also added that with total completions of 65,300 sq m of new Grade A office space in Metro Cebu, vacancies will climb up to 24.9%, prompting additional options for companies locating to the economic center of Visayas. 
 
 
FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY 
 
As one of the top tourist destinations and jewels of the Philippines, real estate developments in Cebu City put more premium in the protection and preservation of the environment. Because of this, more spaces are shifting to green and more sustainable design and construction methods that also benefit employees to occupy the building. 
 
RELATED: Why Green Buildings are Office-Rebound Ready 

 
 
LOCAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS 
 
The Cebu City local government is very supportive of its business community. With the economy in mind, local policies in Metro Cebu enable local and multinational companies and investors to set up their business in the economic center of Visayas.  
 

Cities and municipalities within the province prioritize the strengthening of measures and ordinances to support the growing local business sector. The local administration also adopts necessary changes and adjustments to promote the province as the next key location in the Visayas region. Government officials take pride in sustaining the standards in business policymaking and investment promotions in Cebu. Similar initiatives will encourage more business locators to invest and occupy more office spaces and commercial buildings in other areas within the province. 

 
UP AND COMING LABOR POOL 

One of the main benefits of locating your business in Cebu City is its young and lively workforce. Cebu City is home to some of the best universities in the country, including the University of the Philippines Cebu and University of San Carlos that produce graduates exceptional in various fields and industries. 
 
Additionally, Cebu is well-known for its English-speaking population which can be an additional benefit for multinational companies and BPOs to operate and expand to the province.  

 
EXPANSION OUTSIDE METRO MANILA 

KMC also cited that many multinational companies under the healthcare services, legal services, professional travel management, financial services, IT services, software development, and animation industries are some of the top locators that are looking to expand their business footprint and operations in Cebu City. 
 
JEG Tower @ One Acacia is one of the newest premium green buildings in Cebu City. Named as the Best Commercial Green Development by PropertyGuru in 2020, this LEED Gold-certified development is truly the best place to work in Cebu. 
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT JEG TOWER: Checklist for the Best Business Address in Cebu City 
 

Interested in expanding to the Visayas? Locate in the best place to work in Cebu City. Get in touch with Gerold Fernando at (+63) 917-565-3547 or send an email to jegtower@kmcmaggroup.com for more details.   
 

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Why Cebu is an attractive location for multinational locators

As the world recovers from the economic impacts of the pandemic and lockdowns, Cebu remains to be an attractive business location especially for multinational locators.  
 
In its latest property report, KMC noted that commercial rents in Metro Cebu are beginning to stabilize and gradually improve as the sector transitions to the new normal. With a diversified real estate portfolio, impressive infrastructure, and ease of transport and access, local and foreign companies consider Cebu as its location for expansion. 
 
Diversified Real Estate Portfolio 
 
Metro Cebu’s main business districts, Cebu Business Park and Cebu IT Park are home to around 81,000 sq m of Grade A office spaces. Over the years, commercial developments have framed the Cebu City skyline, offering premium spaces for local and foreign business entities that want to relocate or expand outside Metro Manila and Luzon. 
 
Among the newest premium green buildings to launch this year in Cebu City is JEG Tower @ One Acacia. This 22-storey development was recognized as the country’s Best Commercial Green Building in 2020 and is a certified LEED Gold.

Impressive Infrastructure 
 
The Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) is expected to bring more economic growth and assist in the pandemic recovery of Cebu City and its neighboring areas as the local government anticipates its completion during the first quarter of 2022. 
 
The 8.9-kilometer infrastructure project offers an alternative route for those coming from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. It is the country’s largest water-crossing infrastructure, built with a navigational clearance to allow larger vessels to safely cross underneath the bridge. 

Business leaders in Central Visayas have also expressed their optimism over the socio-economic benefits of CCLEX to the province and the whole region once it starts operating this year. Both local business leaders and multinational locators say the economic benefits that will enable Cebu to bounce back economically and start have ripple effects that will be felt across the Visayas. 
 
READ MORE: CCLEX to aid economic recovery in Cebu in 1Q/2022 

 
Ease of Transport & Access 
 
The Mactan-Cebu International Airport is the main entry and exit point in Cebu City. This development is also the second busiest international airport in the Philippines that serves the majority of Metro Cebu and the Central Visayas region. 
 
Its international terminal, Terminal 2, started operations in 2018 and has significantly increased the capacity of the airport to 12.5 million passengers per year. In 2019, the new design of this terminal won an award under the “Completed Buildings – Transport” at the World Architecture Festival. 
 
Interested in expanding to the Visayas? Locate in the best place to work in Cebu City. Get in touch with Gerold Fernando at (+63) 917-565-3547 or send an email to jeg@kmcmaggroup.com for more details.  
 
Discover how JEG Tower @ One Acacia revolutionizes work and life balance today. 

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Foreign investment picks up as Cebu City remains under Alert Level 2

 
Cebu City’s economic recovery is expected to pick up and accelerate as the metropolitan remains under Alert Level 2. 
 
In the latest resolution by the Inter-Agency Task force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID), the whole island province of Cebu shall be placed under the second most lenient lockdown classification until March 15. In February, the Department of Health recorded fewer active cases and a positivity rate falling to only 5%, with a daily average of 3.64%. 
 
This is timely as more multinational investors express interest in locating in the economic stronghold of the Visayas. In a statement by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), demand for business in the province is steadily increasing as many foreign investors inquire about face-to-face meetings. 
 
“These foreign and economic attaches see Cebu as an island that they will never ever forget. Businesses from their country put Cebu in their bucket list for investments,” CCCI president Felix Taguiam said. 

He also noted that the chamber is hopeful that more investments will pour into Cebu as the province recovers from the pandemic and rebuilds after Typhoon Odette. “I can see activities, moving, trading, and everybody is smiling,” he also shared.  
 
Cebu is also looking forward to the completion and inauguration of the the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX). This 8.9-kilometer infrastructure project offers an alternative route to Mactan-Cebu International Airport to the world-class resorts, beaches, and expansion opportunities in the economic capital of the Visayas. It is the country’s largest water-crossing infrastructure, built with a navigational clearance to allow larger vessels to safely cross underneath the bridge. 
 
RELATED:  CCLEX to aid economic recovery in Cebu in 1Q/2022 

More Office Options 
 
In the latest property report by KMC, many commercial and retail options will become available in Cebu City’s main business submarkets. As construction projects get completed, more office buildings, including JEG Tower @ One Acacia, will become available within this year. Cebu City’s commercial real estate portfolio has exponentially expanded over the years as more multinational companies expand operations and footprint outside Luzon and Metro Manila. 
 
Looking for the best office to locate your business in Cebu City? Reach out to Gerold Fernando at (+63) 917-565-3547 or email to jegtower@kmcmaggroup.com today! to locate your business in Cebu City’s.

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CCLEX to aid economic recovery in Cebu in 1Q/2022

The Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) is expected to bring more economic growth and assist in the pandemic recovery of Cebu City and its neighboring areas, as the government anticipates its completion during the first quarter of 2022. 

CCLEX is an 8.9-kilometer infrastructure project that offers an alternative route to Mactan-Cebu International Airport to the world-class resorts, beaches, and expansion opportunities in the economic capital in the Visayas. It is the country’s largest water-crossing infrastructure, built with a navigational clearance to allow larger vessels to safely cross underneath the bridge. 

Dubbed as “The Third Bridge,” the project is spearheaded by the MPTC subsidiary, Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corp. (CCLEC), in partnership with the local government units of Cebu City and Municipality of Cordova. The expressway has a design speed of 80 to 90 kilometers per hour and is expected to serve an estimated 50,000 vehicles daily. 

Business leaders in Central Visayas have expressed their optimism over the socio-economic benefits to the province and the whole region once the CCLEX starts operating this year. Both local business leaders and multinational locators say the economic benefits that will enable Cebu to bounce back economically and start have ripple effects that will be felt across the Visayas. 

Photo from Cebu Daily News

Edward Du, governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) for Central Visayas, said that this new infrastructure is a potential solution to the notorious ‘Cebu traffic’ which significantly impacts economic activity and social mobility in the province.

“Knowing Cebu, the city will bounce back and go back to normal faster than the other provinces,” Du said, sharing how the business community looks forward to this new development as Cebu adapts to the new normal.

Felix Taguiam, president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), also stated the CCLEX is “truly a sight to behold, and a positive force for Cebu’s economic recovery.”  

CCLEX as seen from JEG Tower @ One Acacia‘s Rooftop Garden  

In its quarterly property report, the Philippines’ biggest real estate brokerage and consultancy firm KMC Savills noted that Cebu remains to be an attractive location for businesses seeking prime talent in the Visayas. In 3Q/2021, improvements in the commercial real estate market were observed as landlords and tenants have had room to adjust amidst the two-year pandemic conditions.

Want to learn more about Cebu’s property market? Connect with us today. Reach out to Gerold Fernando at (+63) 917-565-3547 or send an email to jegtower@kmcmaggroup.com today!

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Recovery Roadmap: Cebu City accelerates vaccination, relaxes entry protocol

The Cebu City government is eyeing to vaccinate at least 70 percent of its population by yearend, the city health office said. Averaging a total of 2,500 inoculations per day, the local government is hopeful that this target is attainable by December 2021.

After the city’s temporary suspension of inoculation due to the lack of supply, Cebu City resumed its vaccine rollout for its residents last Thursday, July 8. Local health data also showed that as of July 3. 277,514 residents have already registered to be vaccinated.

“We are praying for a fair allocation of vaccines for Cebu City. We have one million population. Our target is to vaccinate 700,000 of the residents, then we need more doses inasmuch as we don’t want to open, then close and open again our vaccination sites,” Dr. Jeffrey Ibones, head of the Cebu City Health Office said to the media.

Cebu City has also been prioritizing the opening of more vaccination sites to accommodate more individuals. Ibones stated that another vaccination site opened last July 2 in the mountain barangay of Cambinocot.

For other Cebu City vaccination sites, click here. 

Easing Travel Requirements

Following the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Cebu City is considering to ease its tourist entry requirements for fully vaccinated individuals. According to the resolution, those who have already received two doses of their COVID-19 vaccine are no longer required to present a negative RT-PCR test result upon entry to the island.

Local government officials have endorsed this domestic travel policy to Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella for final approval and implementation. Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera, deputy chief implementer of the city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), added that loosening the requirements for domestic travelers could be seen as an “incentive,” and it could encourage people to register for vaccination as they would no longer have to complete the requirements when they decide to travel to other parts of the country.

As restrictions begin to relax and more residents get vaccinated, local businesses are optimistic for the speedy recovery of Cebu City’s economy, especially in the real estate sector. More premium-grade office developments, such as JEG Tower @ One Acacia, are pivoting their office re-entry strategies and offering safer and healthier spaces for businesses and tenants who want to take the opportunity to invest in Metro Cebu.

READ MORE: Why JEG Tower is the perfect new normal workplace

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.

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Safe Travel 101: Travelling to Cebu Amid the Pandemic

One year since being the epicenter of COVID-19 in the Philippines, Cebu is on its way to adjusting to ‘the new normal’. After successfully controlling cases and stopping re-surges from happening, the local government of Cebu is now allowing travel for business and leisure for domestic or local visitors.

According to the Inter-Agency Task Force, the whole province of Cebu, including Cebu City, is placed under Modified General Community Quarantine from May 1-31, 2020. Under this classification, essential and non-essential travel is permitted as long as tourists strictly observe the following guidelines.

  • All tourists entering Cebu through the Mactan-Cebu International Airport should be wearing face masks and face shields at all times, especially during their flight.
  • Necessary documents should be prepared and ready before boarding the plane. Passengers with incomplete documents will not be allowed to board.
  • All tourists should present a confirmed round trip plane tickets
  • All tourists should fill out and complete the Cebu Public Health Passenger Locator Form

The travel requirements and procedure implemented in Cebu City is stricter compared to the rest of the province. As set by the Cebu City LGU, the following are the travel requirements for APORs:

Travel Requirements | APOR

APOR, or Authorized Persons Outside of Residents are travelers to Cebu City for official business or employment. According to the guidelines of the IATF, the following are considered APORs:

  • Health and emergency frontline service personnel
  • Government officials and government frontline personnel
  • Duly authorized humanitarian assistance actors (HAAs)
  • Persons traveling for medical or humanitarian reasons
  • Persons going to the airport for travel abroad
  • Anyone crossing zones for work or business permitted in the zone of destination, and going back home

Requirements:

  • Negative RT-PCR result (Test must have been taken 3 days from the date of travel)
  • Safe, Swift, and Smart Passage (S-Pass) Registration (To register: Upload all documents to https://s-pass.ph/)
  • Travel Coordination Permit (TCP) or Travel Thru Permit (TPP) QR

Government-employed or IATF members should also include their valid government identification and mission/travel order.

Travel Requirements | Tourists

To aid the economy of Cebu City, tourists with non-essential travel purposes are also allowed to go to the Visayan capital given that they present the following requirements:

  • RT-PCR Negative result (test must have been taken 3 days from the date of travel)
  • Safe, Swift, and Smart Passage (S-Pass) Registration. (To register: Upload all documents to https://s-pass.ph/)
  • Travel Coordination Permit (TCP) or Travel Thru Permit (TPP) QR Code

Meanwhile, the latest directive from the provincial government of Cebu is not requiring APORs and domestic tourists to undergo mandatory testing or quarantine protocols as long as they present the following requirements:

  • Valid IDs
  • Medical Certificate
  • Approved pass after symptoms were checked and screened
  • Strictly comply with the minimum health standards during their stay

Government APORs are also required to have their original travel mission order by their respective superiors.

Other tips and reminders:

Get your RT-PCR Test from DOH-accredited laboratories

Only RT-PCR test results from DOH-accredited laboratories will be honored and considered as a valid requirement when entering Cebu City. Also, keep in mind that the negative test result should be within the 72-hour window prior to your date of travel.

Strictly observe health and safety protocols upon arrival and departure

Comply with the minimum health and safety standards implemented in the province at all times, from arrival to departure. Have all your travel documents readily available for checkpoints and inspections.

JEG Tower @ One Acacia is Cebu City’s newest PEZA accredited premium green building. With its sustainable and green features, the 22-storey commercial tower contributes to Cebu City’s resilience against pandemics and future disease outbreaks. Visit our website at www.jegtower.com to learn more.