BPO hub to rise in Laguna

As published in Business World on October 9, 2015

ETON Properties Philippines, Inc., owned by tycoon Lucio C. Tan, is putting up a business process outsourcing (BPO) technology campus within its sprawling property in Laguna, amid robust demand for office space.

In a statement released yesterday, the real estate developer said it has decided to develop a BPO hub in its 1,000­hectare Eton City, following a review of the township's masterplan. Drawing inspiration from Silicon Valley in California and Bangalore, India, the proposed development will have 190,000 square meters of office lots and will offer office solutions on a design and build basis to suit the customer's specific requirements.

The project will have green­themed roads, retail strips, and a dormitory, with a transportation annex for shuttles and buses bringing commuters to and from different parts of Laguna and Metro Manila.

"It is now helping to address future requirements for office spaces generated by expansion programs of the industry by an additional 200,000 square meters of space," Marie Angeli Samala, Eton Properties first vice­president for property management, was quoted in the statement as saying.

Apart from the proposed campus, Eton City also has residential and lifestyle attractions. The township provides homes for over 2,000 households in its four residential villages.

Eton Properties has completed more than 124,000 square meters of projects in Quezon City and Ortigas dedicated to BPO­IT buildings, which are all fully occupied.

Eton Properties has a steady pipeline of office projects. It is set to break ground on the 25­storey Cyberpod Centris Five, the fifth BPO facility in Eton Centris in Quezon City, and is developing the mixed­use WestEnd Square, which will have a BPO building, retail podium, and two residential towers.

Eton Properties is part of LT Group, Inc., the holding firm for Mr. Tan's banking, tobacco, alcoholic and non­alcoholic beverage, and real estate businesses. Shares in LT Group added 28 centavos or 2.43% to P11.78 apiece on Thursday.