PLDT mulls options for new HQ

MANILA, Philippines - Leading multimedia and telecoms provider Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) is looking at other options to put up a new headquarters aside from the proposed campus-type complex patterned after the “Googleplex” of Google Inc. in California.

PLDT president Napoleon Nazareno said in an interview that the company is considering putting up a high-rise building at the Ramon Cojuangco Building along Makati Avenue corner Ayala Avenue in Makati City.

Nazareno said the company is carefully studying the planned high-rise building as this would involve tearing down of the existing building and putting up a new one without damaging the equipment at the basement of the existing headquarters.

He added that the PLDT would have to find a place to relocate its employees while the planned high-rise building is being constructed.

Nazareno earlier told The STAR that the telecom giant is looking at establishing a “campus type” complex as the company was assessing whether to put up a new building or acquire a building that would serve as its new headquarters.

The planned acquisition of the Alphaland Building owned by former Trade Minister Roberto Ongpin along Ayala Ave. in Makati City might no longer push through.

Pangilinan earlier said the PLDT Group was looking at Sta. Rosa in Laguna and Alabang in Muntinlupa City due to the size of property of between 10 and 15 hectares needed for the “campus type” complex.

He added that the company is still getting the consensus of the employees of the PLDT Group of companies as most of its employees are living North of Metro Manila.