Kawit resort project to start in October

CEBU, Philippines —  The Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc. will start building the P18 billion integrated resorts and casino on Kawit Island at the South Road Properties in October this year.

This was one of the discussions during the closed-door meeting between UHRI officials and Cebu City government last Friday.

“Ang ilang timeline gihatag sa city, the start of pile boring, which indicates the start of the construction, is karong October,” Francisco Fernandez, executive assistant to the mayor, told The FREEMAN.

He said that before construction begins, UHRI will finalize the development and architectural plan and submit the same to the city government for the release of permits.

UHRI has yet to decide whether or not to do a ceremonial breaking of ground this month.

Fernandez said fire safety was one of the concerns Osmeña raised during the meeting last Friday. The mayor told UHRI that the buildings that would be built must follow the National Building Code.

The other items discussed during the meeting included the possible incorporation of access for transportation via yacht, boats, or seaplanes to other destinations in Cebu and neighboring islands.

“The mayor told them man gud nga dili lang unta casino ang i-highlight sa project, but also access to other destinations sa country,” Fernandez said.

 Cases Not Hindrance

Fernandez added that UHRI and the city stand by the validity of the contract the two parties entered into for the project, despite two pending civil cases aiming to stop the same.

Under the contract, the project will be carried out in two phases. The first phase includes a commercial or shopping center, an integrated resort facility, a convention center, a performing arts theater, a theme park and iconic public art, a hotel, a parking lot, and a casino.

The second phase includes two more hotels on the third and fourth year after the Joint Venture Agreement is signed.

In a Facebook post, Osmeña said, “The SRP is a blank canvas. It is not constrained by the past. It is only right to make it the best it can be for the future.” —  JMO (FREEMAN)