CLARK FREEPORT – The SM Group of Companies is mulling the development of the proposed central business district (CBD) at the old sugar central of the Pampanga Sugar Development Company (Pasudeco) in Barangays Sto. Niño and San Juan in the City of San Fernando.
This was disclosed by Rep. Oscar S. Rodriguez (3rd District, Pampanga) during the Balitaan forum of the Capampangan In Media at Bale Balita here last Friday.
Rodriguez said SM Prime Holdings, Inc. President Hans T. Sy has made a proposal to develop the 35-hectare Pasudeco sugar central area into a “commercial mix-land use” which was earlier slated for development as a CBD by Rodriguez who was then city mayor of San Fernando.
Rodriguez said during their initial meeting, Sy proposed to preserve the Pasudeco sugar central building for its historical value including the smokestacks which became symbols of the exponential growth of San Fernando during the early days.
The Pasudeco sugar central was finished in March, 1921, to serve as a central purchasing and processing company for the surrounding sugar plantations.
Rodriguez said Sy is really interested to develop the area which will also serve as an attraction to educational institutions. The congressman said some sort of transportation like a train which will go around the property will be built by way of preserving the area.
He said he has agreed in principle with the proposal. “Kaya pala napadali ang discussion namin dyan kasi si Hans Sy ang unang unang habilin sa kanila kung pwede i-preserve yung dapat i-preserve na historical places (Our discussion became easy here because Hans Sy, the first thing that he wanted to do was to preserve the historical places that needed to be preserved)” Rodriguez said.
The congressman said sugar milling will be accommodated in Pasudeco’s other site in Porac town.
