CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – An emerging metropolis in Northern Mindanao is poised to achieve global status, and sooner than anticipated.
While some view the convergence of major projects as a stroke of luck, insiders familiar with the strategies of local taipans understand that this is no coincidence. It is the product of a coordinated vision that looks far beyond immediate concerns.
Two provinces to the west, the newly opened Panguil Bay Bridge has created a vital link for residents of Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Zamboanga del Sur, enabling faster land travel to Cagayan de Oro, vice versa.
Closer to Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities, the expansion of Laguindingan Airport under a public-private partnership (PPP) with Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) has been approved by the government. The first phase is seen tol boost passenger capacity from 1.6 million to 3.9 million annually. By 2026, capacity is expected to double to 6.1 million passengers, depending on the achievement of key performance indicators.
The Laguindingan Airport ranks as the sixth-busiest airport in the Philippines and the second-busiest in Mindanao, following Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City.
AIC Vice President Rafael Aboitiz said the facility would be marketed as an international airport after the official turnover set for April 2025. The planned upgrades include renovations to the passenger terminal, installation of modern equipment, and operational improvements, positioning the airport to attract international tourists, investors, and immigrants.
Enhancing connectivity
Travel time from Laguindingan Airport to downtown Cagayan de Oro currently averages 60 minutes, depending on traffic. A new four-lane, 35.89-kilometer Pueblo-Laguindingan Mountain Diversion Road, slated for completion by 2027, is expected to cut travel time to just 30 minutes.
The new artery is anticipated to become the preferred route for motorists traveling from Zamboanga Peninsula, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Iligan City, and West Misamis Oriental, as it leads directly to the uptown area’s shopping and entertainment hubs.
For those heading downtown Cagayan de Oro, alternative routes will soon include the Macasandig-Manresa bridge and alternate bypass road, while travelers from nearby Misamis Oriental can utilize the bypass road which links Opol town and Canitoan, Cagayan de Oro.
Regional planners are also considering innovative transport solutions, such as the proposed Cagayan de Oro aerial mass transport system. The planned urban cable gondola system, the first of its kind in the Philippines, is designed to accommodate up to 20,000 commuters daily on an initial three-kilometer route from Rodelsa Circle in Barangay Nazareth to Masterson Avenue in the uptown area.
A city within a city
The uptown area is rapidly transforming into a virtual global city, driven by projects like Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan’s Campus of the Future, Pueblo de Oro’s Masterson Mile North and Southridge Development, and a surge of residential subdivisions in Barangay Lumbia.
The 21-hectare, P2.1-billion campus is designed with green spaces, wide roads, bike lanes, and adaptable learning facilities for both virtual and physical classes. It integrates seamlessly with the adjacent 14.3-hectare Manresa Town, a mixed-use university town offering student accommodations, commercial establishments, and office spaces.
The development aligns with Pueblo de Oro’s ambitious plans, which include a five-tower luxury condominium project, a 31-hectare Silicon Valley-inspired development, and a World Trade Center (WTC). The WTC is expected to elevate Cagayan de Oro’s profile as a key hub for international trade and exhibitions, similar to the WTC in Pasay City.
Guillermo Luchangco, chairman and CEO of ICCP Group, emphasized the WTC’s potential to support the city’s growth as a metropolitan center. He highlighted its role in hosting international exhibitions, a cornerstone of global commerce.
To complement these developments, global brands like Radisson Blue and Citadines by Ascott are set to open hotels and serviced apartments in the Pueblo de Oro Business Park, catering to the anticipated influx of tourists, investors, and immigrants.
Meanwhile, Lumbia is experiencing a “gold rush” of residential construction, with 56 subdivisions underway to accommodate the city’s burgeoning population. – Rappler.com