Developer RCL Realty and Consulting Services Inc. is planning to expand its business in the southern parts of the country after what the company called a fruitful year of doing business in the north.
After successfully partnering with international hotel brand Dusit International in developing a residential resort complex in La Union last July, RCL is also looking to set up shop abroad, particularly in Latin American countries where OFWs are thriving.
“2016 was more on the [putting out] the pipeline projects. Now 2017 would bring in more expansion, including the international expansion that we are doing,” chairman and CEO Fausto Liriano told the BusinessMirror in an interview.
David Chong, RCL’s vice president for marketing, is currently in Panama promoting the company in preparation for the opening of an international base in Latin America by the end of 2017.
One of the international base’s main goal is to promote Filipino employment abroad, Liriano said. Nevertheless, the chief executive highlighted that the company is just as focused on their Philippine projects.
Liriano said RCL is developing projects in Tagaytay, Bulacan, Boracay, Palawan and Davao. The company is expected to make further announcements later in 2017.
“We’re set in fulfilling all of them. When we fulfill 50 percent of them [this 2017] we will be very happy. We don’t want to be like a big group, we want to keep it as simple as it is but very strong,” her said.
Conquering the North
Established in 2012, RCL’s biggest project to date is Waves Beach Club and residences, a 7-hectare resort property along the shores of San Juan, La Union.
Dusit is the project’s main operator while Brightbeam Corp is majority partner with a 90-percent stake.
Liriano disclosed that RCL is in discussion with other developers who are looking into investing in the property.
“There are also big developers we are talking to right now who would like to join us and we are open to those conversations. I cannot disclose but we are very close to having something by January, hopefully if they agree,” Liriano said.
Waves is set to open by 2019, with the groundbreaking for the 114-unit condotel expected later this January. The Malibu-inspired resort complex will have 50 villas, each with access to a private beach and 40 beachfront and backside apartments. Prices start at an average of 10 million.
Liriano stressed their project is not meant to compete with the prestigious luxury property Thunderbird Poro Point, which he himself helped develop in 2006.
Liriano noted Waves is the first property under an internationally-acclaimed hotel brand (Dusit) in the North.
“We chose Region I because you can see the developments heading up North. For example there is a free port zone. There’s a lot of development going on there. There is a boardwalk going on then there’s going to be an IT, an industrial park that they are targeting,” he said.
Waves is anticipated to generate employment for at least 1 000 locals in the area given the number of colleges and graduates in the area. “This is our goal, to bring more profit and more employment in the areas where we are,” Liriano Liriano.
The company has initially invested 500 million on Waves but would most likely be chipping in more money for additional amenities and for compliance with international standards, Liriano said.
Aside from the resort, RCL is currently heading the marketing and sales of Italian-inspired Tuscany Estates in La Union. The subdivision is expected to be completed in three years’-time with RCL initially investing at least 80 million for the first phase of the project.