City Mall to open in Basilan province

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A chain of community shopping mall will soon open in Basilan province.

This was announced Friday by Congressman-elect Mujiv Hataman, who said he provided assistance for the issuance of a location permit to City Mall that will be constructed in Barangay Menzi, Isabela City.

Initially, Hataman said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) did not issue a permit to City Mall due to the impending road widening project.

“I have invited both parties and we already have a compromise,” said Hataman, adding that the City Mall management was about to withdraw its plan to build a mall in Isabela City because of the problem.

Hataman, who served as governor of the then Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said the construction of a mall will spur development in Isabela City in particular, and Basilan in general.

He said the shopping mall would provide a market for the produce of farmers in Basilan province, as well as employment opportunities to residents.

City Mall will be the first shopping mall to open in Basilan province.

Meanwhile, Hataman said that Budgetwise-Zamboanga is also eyeing to open a branch in Lamitan City.

The cities of Isabela and Lamitan serve as trading hubs of Basilan province. Both cities have their own port catering to passenger and cargo vessels.

Budgetwise-Zamboanga is owned by a family of businessmen from Zamboanga City while the City Mall Commercial Centers Inc. (CMCCI), is a subsidiary of Double Dragon Properties Corp. (PNA)