As 2015 comes to an end, we look back to the year’s developments which contributed to Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental’s progress as an economic and tourist destination.
1. SM CDO2 PREMIER
Construction went full blast of SM’s 2nd mall in Cagayan de Oro City.
2. MESA VERTE RESIDENCES by CEBU LANDMASTERS, INC.
The perspective of the 3-tower condominium project was finally revealed and initial ground works have began at the project site.
3. CENTRIO TOWER
The 23-storey high-rise condominium project of Ayala Land is now an imposing structure at the city proper.
4. 7-ELEVEN OPENINGS
The world’s leading convenience store chain has finally set foot in Cagayan de Oro City. The branch at Limketkai Luxe Hotel was a milestone being its 1500th in the country. Several other branches have also opened.
5. JR BORJA BRIDGE OPENING
In February 6, 2015, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno, 2nd Dist. Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, a representative of the Spanish Government and other local officials and staff of DPWH Regional Office and City Hall formally inaugurated the Spanish-funded JR Borja Bridge, the 6th bridge to span the river
6. S&R WAREHOUSE
The exact location of the long rumored S&R Warehouse in Cagayan de Oro was finally revealed. Ground works are now ongoing.
7. TWO CITYMALLS IN CDO
Double Dragon Properties Corp. has just entered Cagayan de Oro with two (2) CityMalls set to be constructed – Iponan and Bulua.
8. COMPLETION OF PRIMAVERA RESIDENCES
Just recently, the eco-friendly 10-storey twin tower project was formally turned over.
9. NIGHT FLIGHTS START AT LAGUINDINGAN AIRPORT
On March 12, 2015, Cebu Pacific Flight 5J 211 from Cebu became the first airline to land a scheduled night flight at Laguindingan Airport. The aircraft made the historic landing at 8:20 PM.
10. NEW RESTAURANTS AND DINERS
2015 was a banner year for the city’s restaurant industry. Among those which opened this year are: Ribs & Bibs, Pizza Republic, Boy Zugba, Damaso Restaurant, Fusion, 678 Chicken, Choobi-Choobi, AA BBQ, Tater’s, Chowking Velez and Gaisano Puerto, Daltan’s Kambingan, Chingkeetea, Ripples, Gastropub, Biker’s Grill, Red Nectar, Infinitea, David’s Tea House, BFB, 4daboys, Kogi-Q, Tapa King, Green Haven (re-opening), among others.
11. PIA WURTZBACH IS MISS UNIVERSE 2015
Of course, who will not forget the crowning of Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach as the country’s 3rd Miss Universe. Although born in Germany, Pia proudly states Cagayan de Oro as her hometown.
12. SEVEN SEAS WATERPARK AND RESORT
Construction of the soon-to-be world-class waterpark in Opol showed significant progress.
13. GAISANO PUERTO
Gaisano opened its Puerto branch in February 2015.
14. COASTAL ROAD
The multi-million coastal road project was finally connected to the National Highway in Gusa.
15. GASTON PARK MUSICAL FOUNTAIN
The much anticipated Gaston Park Musical Fountain was switched on in time for Christmas Day. However, sources onsite revealed current fountain is not yet final. Accordingly, more project components will be added next year.
16. ONE PROVIDENCE
The first BPO building at the Lifestyle District is rising.
17. NEW DAWN PENSIONNE EXPANSION
Construction of the 18-storey hotel began in March 2015.
18. BLU SANDS BEACH RESORT and BLUE VIEW RESORT
There’s something about blue that two resorts in Misamis Oriental opened this year. BlueView in El Salvador City and Blu Sands Beach Resort in Initao. Meanwhile, Ultrawinds opened its Infinity Pool late this year.
19. NEW HOTEL OPENINGS
New accommodation facilities continue to grow in Cagayan de Oro City and the province. Among those which opened this year are: GC Suites, Lohas Airport Hotel, Emerald Suites, Zoe’s Avenue Suites, G-Galyx InnHotel.
20. ONE OASIS CAGAYAN DE ORO
Filinvest’s first mid-rise condominium project in Cagayan de Oro City has topped off this year.
21. OTHER OPENINGS / NIGHT LIFE
A variety of other businesses also opened in the city this year: Mini Stop, Gold’s Gym, Laser Blast, SM Go Kart, Mahindra, KTM, among others. Limketkai Cinemas has finally re-opened and the city’s night scene became more vibrant with new bars opening: Empire Music Lounge, Zordz, Hangout Bistro, Upbeat Lounge, Ringside Sports Bar, The Voice Republic, Somewhere Else, and Pirates, among others.
22. NMMC DEVELOPMENTS
As the regional center in healthcare, the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) continued its multi-million expansion project with the construction of the New Ward Building.
23. TUSCANIA TOWERS
The three tower mid-rise condominium complex project in Kauswagan was finally revealed.
24. LIMKETKAI CENTER DEVELOPMENTS
The ever-changing Limketkai Center never ceases to develop. The new Rosario Strip is still ongoing and the new Parking Building will follow soon.
25. GRABTAXI
GrabTaxi, the smartphone-based taxi booking and dispatching service started operating in Cagayan de Oro City in October 2015.
26. INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS
Northern Mindanao continues to be a haven for large industries. In September 2015, The Jacobi Group opened the world’s largest coconut shell activated carbon plant with a new level of automation in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental. With the power crisis lingering, the 10-MW Kirahon Solar Farm also in Villanueva town started operating. Meanwhile, two coal plants are right on-track: the 405-MW FDC Coal Plant in Villanueva and the 165-MW Minergy Coal in Balingasag town.
27. BITAN-AG AND SAPANG BRIDGES
The DPWH began the construction of Bitan-ag Bridge (along CM Recto) and Sapang Bridge in Bulua. These two infrastructure projects aims to address the perennial flooding occurrences in the said areas.
photo credits to the owners