Rookie developer eyes prospects in medtourism

CEBU, Philippines - As Cebu aims to attract the multi-million dollar retiree market in the world, capitalist Justin Uy plans to invest on an integrated retirement facility that will make use of Cebu's highly-skilled medical professionals.

Originally engaged in exporting processed fruits, Uy recently ventured into the real estate industry with the establishment of the EverJust Realty Development Corporation.

Starting with its flagship project, the shopping and entertainment mall called “J Centre”, along with the integrated facilities that will be built within the three-hectare property along A.S. Fortuna in Mandaue City, Uy said the company is drawing up long-term plans including the future development of hospital and other projects that are geared towards attracting the retirees as well as the medical tourists.

“We have an overflow of nurses. We have the property already," Uy said in an interview.

Reportedly, Uy recently acquired stakes of the international hotel chain, Imperial Palace Resort, on Mactan Island, an indication of his serious attempt to enter the tourism and real estate business.

Moreover, Uy said the company has an existing three-hectare idle lot, located adjacent to the old Mactan-Cebu-bridge. Master-plan for the property will soon be formulated.

The “J Centre” is a mixed-use development consisting of mall, hotel, served apartments and call centers that provide world-class service, among others.

At present, the company is negotiating with an international hotel chain for the establishment of a 300 to over 500 rooms, depending on the result of the feasibility study.

Uy, through his real estate arm’s flagship project, “J Centre” is determined to pour in investments into real estate developments particularly in Cebu, and he mentioned the big potential for medical tourism, and other tourism related facilities.

The creation of Uy’s real estate development arm would help the capitalist pursue a bigger dream of developing his available land-bank in Cebu.

He said part of the long term plan, is to enter in the development of a hospital that will cater the medical tourism market.

Uy reiterated the good pool of medical professionals in the country saying that the over-supply of nurses should be maximized, thus help “brain-gain” bid of the Philippines.

Aside from medical tourism facility, Uy also mentioned to enter into an establishment of a resort in the near future.

Uy is one of the most successful exporters of processed fruits in the country through the Prufood International, which exports dried mango, and other processed food products to other countries.

On the other hand, although the muti-sectoral groups in Cebu have been trying to market the Province as preferred “retirement hub” for international retirees,Cebu still has to build appropriate facilities in order to attract this potential dollar-earning market.

Department of Trade and Industry Cebu Provincial Office (DTI-CPO) director Nelia F. Navarro earlier said a good coordination between the government and private sectors in Cebu should be strengthen to maximize the Province’s attractiveness to retirees around the world.

Navarro said there are a lot of facilities that should be established first, such as integrated villages that provides integrated facilities that will assist and offer services that are necessary for suitable retirement village.

“We do not have assisted living or a nursing home where retirees needing constant attention can live, or a group of private-retirement homes where active retirees can rent a room and share facilities such as laundry kitchen bathroom and common living areas with other residents,” said Navarro. (FREEMAN)