Aboitiz InfraCapital to Develop Mall, Transport Terminal, and Park at West Cebu Estate

Balamban, Cebu – Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. is set to break ground next year on a new commercial complex within its West Cebu Estate (WCE), a sprawling 540-hectare mixed-use development in Balamban, Cebu. The company announced on Monday that construction of the complex, which will include a neighborhood mall, a transport terminal, a communal park, and commercial lots, is scheduled to begin in 2025.

“We are excited to enhance the lifestyle offerings within West Cebu Estate with the addition of this new commercial hub,” said Aboitiz InfraCapital in a statement. “These developments are designed not only to support the daily needs of WCE’s workforce and residents, but also to foster a dynamic, well-rounded environment. This will make WCE an even more attractive destination for businesses, employees, and visitors alike.”

Expansion and Diversification at West Cebu Estate

West Cebu Estate is a Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)-registered economic zone that is home to 14 locators and 14,000 employees. In addition to the new commercial development, WCE is undergoing a 39-hectare expansion, backed by an initial investment of P1.4 billion. This expansion is expected to accommodate light-to-medium manufacturing industries, including automotive, semiconductor, and electronics, creating an additional 14,000 jobs and further diversifying the estate’s tenant base.

WCE is also known as the shipbuilding capital of the Philippines, hosting leading companies in the shipbuilding and maritime sectors. Since its establishment in 1992, WCE has attracted over P32 billion in investments and is home to 12 major industrial players, including prominent international companies like Tsuneishi Heavy Industries of Japan, Advanced Catamaran Composites of the United States, and Taiwan’s Cebu Marine Industry, Inc.

Economic Impact and Strong Industrial Ecosystem

Aboitiz InfraCapital emphasized WCE’s strong economic contributions, noting that the estate has generated over 14,000 direct jobs. In 2023 alone, the estate’s locators exported goods worth more than $545 million.

Austal Philippines, a global shipbuilder operating in WCE for the past 12 years, recently secured a major contract to build a 32-meter catamaran for Rottnest Fast Ferries, which serves the popular tourist destination of Rottnest Island off the coast of Western Australia. The company highlighted Austal’s growth as a key example of the estate’s robust industrial ecosystem, which benefits from WCE’s dedicated infrastructure and logistics capabilities.

“We are proud of WCE’s role as a hub for shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing. The estate’s seaport, for example, optimizes logistics, ensuring efficient movement of goods, while our regulatory support services — including a one-stop shop for PEZA and Bureau of Customs assistance — help streamline operations for all our locators,” Aboitiz InfraCapital said.

The planned commercial complex at WCE will further elevate the estate’s reputation as a key driver of economic growth and industrial innovation in the region.