After delays, work on massive Mandaue reclamation, 'global city' project to resume
GlobalCity Mandaue Project (GMC photo)
Real estate development firm GlobalCity Mandaue Corp. (GMC) is set to resume construction work on the long-delayed 131-hectare (ha) reclamation and urban development project in Cebu province, which aims to spur strong economic growth in Mandaue City.
“GMC is ready to resume work with the city government of Mandaue and relevant agencies to bring this transformative project to life,” said GMC legal counsel Atty. Hans Santos.
GMC’s GlobalCity Mandaue Project will develop a portion of Mactan Channel, located near Marcelo Fernan Bridge and along the coastlines of Barangays Paknaan and Umapad, into a mixed-use estate.
The project will see the construction of commercial centers, residential communities, industrial zones, and tourism facilities, which are poised to generate significant economic activity.
Initially overseen by the local group of Mandaue and Sultan 900 Inc., the agreement was later implemented by GMC.
GMC started mobilization work on the project in 2016 following the deployment of equipment and personnel.
However, construction was deferred after the local government failed to acquire key environmental and regulatory permits, spurring a legal battle that spanned nearly a decade.
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court (SC) upheld the legality and enforceability of the joint-venture (JV) agreement between GMC and Mandaue City, paving the way for the resumption of the project.
The ruling affirmed earlier decisions by the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) and the Court of Appeals (CA), which ordered both parties to implement the contractual JV agreement signed on Jan. 7, 2014, “in good faith and in accordance with its terms.”
Essentially, the High Court’s ruling compels both GMC and the local government of Mandaue City to fulfill their respective obligations in the development of GlobalCity Mandaue Project.
“We welcome the SC’s affirmation of our agreement,” said Santos.
“This decision clears the path for sustainable urban growth, job creation, and enhanced economic competitiveness—not just for Mandaue City, but for the entire Central Visayas region,” he added.
With a green light from the SC, Santos said this will usher in a “new era of infrastructure, investment, and inclusive development for the Cebu metropolitan area”
“We are committed to delivering a world-class development that uplifts communities and drives national progress,” he noted.