BALANGA CITY — SM City-Bataan, the 83rd SM Supermall in the country, not only offers the best service and affordable products in the market but also contributes to nation building by way of giving employment to 1,500 to 2,000 workers.
This, Jhoana Gatdula, assistant mall manager, emphasized after the crowd-filled blessing and inauguration Thursday of the first SM Supermall in Bataan located in this city, the heart of the historic province.
SM City Bataan formally opens Friday, May 19.
“For employment we are looking at 1,500 to 2,000 workers with local people as priority. We really get the local,” Gatdula said.
She noted that in terms of design, SM City Bataan is very special. “Hindi lahat ng SM ganito ang design so we are giving the best of the best sa mga Bataeños.”
“The structure is a city mall so we have cyberzone, we have cinema, we have food court and then ang cinema natin we are so proud kasi three regular cinema tapos may two private rooms so hindi lahat mayroong ganon ang SM,” she said.
The two-level mall of 46,000 square meters is located at the center of Balanga City, a walking distance from the Bataan terminal complex and the city commercial district and Plaza Mayor de Balanga.
Gatdula said they were opening with 75 – 76% occupancy with 90% of the stalls awarded to the best brands. “So, we have here first in Bataan like Mama Luz, Extreme Espresso and then ang mga wellness natin and we have affiliates here so we are complete.”
Shops and restaurants within the mall offer a mix of local and international brands.
As affiliates, she said that they have supermarket, department store, Sports Central, Ace Hardware. “Name it, talagang sobrang daming affiliates.”
“We are very happy because of the overwhelming support of provincial and city leaders led by Gov. Jose Enrique Garcia III and City Mayor Francis Garcia,” Gatdula said. The two officials happened to be presently on an official visit to a foreign country.
“The mall hopes to contribute to Bataan’s robust economy providing job opportunities to Bataeños and a cozy, world-class gathering place for the community,” she furthered.
“It was thoughtfully designed with its community in mind. The energy efficient mall features ample natural lighting through the use of emissivity glass for its windows and skylights, a water catchment facility, solar panels and a sewerage treatment plant,” Gatdula added.
Bataan 2nd District Rep. Albert Garcia attended the blessing and inauguration. Bishop Ruperto Santos of the diocese of Balanga officiated in the Holly Mass and blessing of the mall.
Cutting the ceremonial ribbon were SM Engineering Design and Development Corp. president Hans Sy, Jr., SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, Bataan Vice Gov. Cris Garcia, Balanga City Vice Mayor Vianca Gozon, SM Prime Holdings president Jeffrey Lim, and Super Value Inc, president Herbert Sy.
