40-hectare commercial center to rise in Taguig
By Rhodina Villanueva
The Philippine Star 05/09/2006

A 40-hectare commercial complex will soon rise in Taguig as part of the local officials? vision of developing the city into a premier business district.

City Councilor Allan Paul Cruz said the "city center" which will be developed by the Fort Bonifacio Development Corp. and Ayala Land Corp. will bring all activities including work and leisure to a centralized urban center.

"After 18 months of planning, Bonifacio Global City has unveiled a new master plan that will transform the emerging district along C-5 into a city that never sleeps," Cruz noted.

"The new master plan is a reaction to traffic and long commutes to work and the demand for recreational and entertainment venues. The vision for the new Bonifacio Global City is to allow those who live and work there to have balanced activities," he added.

Cruz likewise pointed out that the revised master plan will be a general road map to a city planned to meet future needs of residents.

An earlier version of the said master plan entailed a snapshot of the Global City 30 to 50 years from now.

"The city center to be built in Barangays Western Bicutan and Ususan will give residents in the area easy access to work and relaxation, including nightlife activities, so that there would be no need for them to leave the Global City?s premises," the official explained.

He added that the development of the "city center" has been approved by the city council recently.

Cruz said these recent developments show that the city has been attracting more investors that would generate more income for Taguig.

"The city has not only become a highly urbanized area but has also been earmarked as an upcoming center for industrial and commercial development by the business community," he said.

Earlier, it was reported that the Singapore Embassy has bought a property in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig and is expected to transfer its office there by 2008.

Meanwhile, the Hongkong Shanghai Banking Corp. (HSBC) office is planning to move in by January 2007.