BUTUAN CITY- There had been several rumors circulating before September 29,2012 - the day when no less than Hans Sy himself, the president of SM Prime Holdings, confirmed the arrival of SM Mall in Butuan City. It did not ring a bell however, neither it did surprise anyone. Butuan's emerging market, secured by its dominance over CARAGA region, could easily catch the attention of a giant mall operator in the country.

Butuan's undeniable economic growth traced itself back to massive government projects such as the lined-up 14 big projects expected to enter Butuan on 2013. Two of them were the improvement of Bancasi Airport, Butuan's domestic airport, set to pave way for night flight operation and the multi-million pesos Butuan Sports Complex with a rubberized oval.

SM's eyes were quick to see Butuan's potential. The company did not hesitate and purchased 37,233 square meter lot in Barangay Lapu-Lapu along JC Aquino Avenue as stated in the company's financial report dated December 31, 2012. Soil testing marked the calendar on May 16, 2013 and on May 22, aerial survey had been conducted using a light Cessna aircraft. Reports were it was seen circling Butuan airspace from morning until late afternoon. Start of construction, the most-awaited phase of the development, eyed on October 2013.

According to initial press release, SM City Butuan will look similar to SM Mall in General Santos City. It will stand five floors high; three floors to house commercial spaces while the remaining two floors will be reserved for rooftop parking. It comes with a helipad and skygarden, features rare to customary SM City brand.

As early as February 2013, SM was already on the process of securing important documents and permits from the local government of Butuan. This was confirmed in a press briefing by Mr. Paul Cabrera, Head of Business Permits and License Division of Butuan City. A tax officer from the Corporate Tax Division of SM Investments visited City Assessor Office, handling a request letter for four important documents that will be used for studying the feasibility of SM's taxes to the city government.

But the October 2013 plan did not push through. The site had not been cleared until November 23. Debby Go, assistant vice president for Mindanao operations of Shopping Center Management Corporation (SCMC), announced the mall will rise on 2014. On January 25, 2014, two guards in white and blue uniform were noticed securing the area. ECC permit had been approved already. Building permit, fencing permit, excavation permit, quarry site permit, all check. But then, construction did not commence yet.

On May 2014, clearing had been observed at the opposite property fronting the main proposed SM site. A reliable source from the records section of BIR divulged that another set of documents were submitted to their office for the second property purchased by SM in Butuan. Accordingly, the second property has a land area of more than five hectares. It can be recalled that SM told in a press release that they will procure around 9 hectares in Butuan.

Stated in SM Prime Holdings Retail Bonds Prospectus 2014 that SM City Butuan would cost up to more than 1 billion pesos. Known contractors so far include Terp Asia Construction, UKC Builders, and TechnoStress System. Opening will be within the same year SM CDO Downtown Premier will be opened.

Render of SM City Butuan. Please take note that this was released few years ago. There might be changes to this one. Photo credit to the owner.




No construction activity took place as for SM City Butuan at the moment. Excavation, foundation work, and vertical construction came to pass as for Cagayan de Oro branch but no single pile driving equipment appeared onsite SM City Butuan. Three years had passed by since the area had been cleared but still no official construction date had been declared. There must have been a change of plan for the said project.

Rumor has it - a simultaneous construction. SM City Butuan, along with other four branches to rise in Mindanao, will be put up in line with SM's plan to operate 9 malls in Mindanao before 2020. SM City Butuan is sure to come. Among four new upcoming branches, Butuan's SM site was the first one acquired and cleared. It would be logical to end up into a verdict that it will be constructed first among three others.

Leaked floor plan of the mall. Photo credit to the owner.




Second property of SM is just across the street from the first lot they acquired. Photo credit to the owner.




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