SM Tagbilaran to rise as

iconic Bohol destination

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Feb 27 (PIA)—A supermall showcasing the iconic Bohol design elements? Why not?

Retail giant ShoeMart (SM) Megamall chief executive officer Steven Tan shared to Boholanos a sneak peek into the general look of the soon to rise SM Tagbilaran which he promised to be distinct and different from the traditional SM aesthetic.

Tan bared this during the groundbreaking and capsule laying ceremony of the first SM supermall in Bohol and Visayas’ 11th superstores, February 27, at the 6 hectare property that would alter Tagbilaran City’s economic skyline.

Tan, who keeps track of nearly 150 supermalls under the SM brand all over the country, said SM Tagbilaran will highlight Bohol’s unique cultural identity, blending seamlessly with the local landscape and community.

Should that happen, this mall could be next iconic superstructure in the tourism island, next to the iconic waves and chocolate hills incorporated in the Panglao Airport design, and could yet be another destination in itself.

SM also comes with the right attitude, unlike then when huge developments casually disregarded the local development policies, in sustainable environment, respect to the indigenous architecture and the local culture.

In his message, Tan said that the soon to open SM Tagbilaran in Bohol would incorporate eco-friendly features like natural lighting, water conservation, and green spaces, all to minimize carbon footprint.

It may be recalled that local tourism stakeholders and the arts and heritage stakeholders, suggested that establishments would have adopt the vernacular design elements, as well as use environment friendly materials and technologies in their structures, making Bohol a landmark destination tourists can remember.

But with Bohol then desperately needing every small capital to get in, the community was more willing to bend the sustainable development policies, if only to attract investments and get people the jobs severely needed to get an economy afloat.

The results were a flurry of construction projects that go with development plans that copy western, Mediterranean, or Asian architecture that optimizes design and utilization without considering sustainable environment technologies.

Things however have started to change.

And while SM builds the mall, it also promises to put up greenbelt areas not just areas of popular social convergence to convert the complex into a dynamic community space, offering tailored experiences, while showing a new vision for retail in Bohol, Tan assures.

Part of that vision is that 80% of the local construction which should immediately start this month, as well as the operations work force would be forced locally.

Moreover, SM committed to help Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in their development.

Along with the Department of Trade and Industry, the government’s MSME mentorship program thrives with business leaders like SM supermalls hand-holding start-ups and year-old entrepreneurs, while providing the platforms to thrive and help boost the economy.

For his part, Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado hailed the management of SM Supermalls for the strategic move to locate in Bohol.

We have a wide consumer base, a talented workforce, a vibrant culture, and a strong work-life balance that can entice everyone to set up shop and provide opportunities for our people, Aumentado said.

He also encouraged SM management to take full advantage of the opportunities that Bohol offers: by building more malls in the future, and investing in tourism and leisure, retail, real estate, agriculture, education, and even on facilities for meetings, incentives and conferences and events.

Meanwhile, at the event, Tagbilaran City through Mayor Jane Yap handed out recycled tarpaulin ecobags as souvenir loot bags which SM has ordered from the women’s economic venture for their future store operations here. (RAHC/PIA_7/Bohol)

POINTS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. SM President Steven Tan as well as guests during the groundbreaking ceremonies of SM Tagbilaran, get recycled tarp eco bags crafted by Tagbilaran City women’s organizations. SM has also ordered the same bags as grocery receptacles for shoppers, in place of plastic bags. SM also commits to implement vernacular design elements, natural lighting and green technologies in their Bohol supermall. (PIABohol)