Baguio Technohub Project Breaks Ground

10 April 2010

Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) and Baguio officials led the groundbreaking last April of the first business process outsourcing (BPO) campus of the company in Baguio, which forms part of its P3-billion investment. The campus, once completed, will generate more than 20,000 jobs from the BPO offices, retail establishments and support maintenance within the Camp John Hay special economic zone, according to ALI officials led by Tony Aquino.

Architectural design is by Aidea Philippines Inc., ALI's design partner. It can be said that AIDEA started BPOs for Ayala Land, with Baguio Technohub being the fifteenth it has designed for ALI. Construction of Baguio Technohub's first building is scheduled to commence by the second quarter of the year and it is expected to be completed by the end of 2010. The project will be built on a 12-hectare parcel of land in the Camp John Hay Special Economic Zone. It is envisioned to be an integrated IT community consisting of five to seven low-rise buildings with approximately 6,000 – 10,000 sq. meters with a retail area that aims to boost economic activity in the city.

In terms of mix, the development is much like The UP-Ayala Land TechnoHub in Quezon City, which Aidea also designed. However, it is enveloped by the camp's green surroundings and rolling terrain which lends the project its distinct character. Aidea ensures that the basic parameter of its design will not be intrusive of the environment, and will blend with the existing architecture of the place. Aquino said in his speech that ALI will strictly adhere to the environmental protection in the implementation of the project.

He said the planned office campus development in Camp John Hay is designed to address the unique requirements of BPO and IT-enabled services firms, adding that the Ayala Technohub will be supported by a retail component featuring selected retail concepts.

ALI decided to infuse investments in Baguio following the signing of a contract with Camp John Hay Development Corp. in 2008, after the Business Processing Association of the Philippines has placed Baguio as part of its top 10 next wave cities.