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Fire-hit Tacloban mall reopens after year-long closure

By Sarwell Meniano and Lizbeth Ann Abella

March 5, 2021, 2:26 pm

<p><strong>REOPENING</strong>. Robinsons Place Tacloban in this March 4, 2021 photo. The first mall in Eastern Visayas has re-opened on Friday (March 5, 2021) after more than a year of closure due to a fire in October 2019. <em>(PNA photo by Sarwell Meniano)</em></p>

REOPENING. Robinsons Place Tacloban in this March 4, 2021 photo. The first mall in Eastern Visayas has re-opened on Friday (March 5, 2021) after more than a year of closure due to a fire in October 2019. (PNA photo by Sarwell Meniano)

TACLOBAN CITY – Eastern Visayas' first mall re-opened on Friday after it was gutted by a big blaze in October 2019.

Floramie Adolfo, senior regional manager for Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas of Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC), said, for the past year, the management undertook major renovations of Robinsons Place Tacloban.

“In the design itself, we infused the modern take of the finishing. It is now brighter and more refreshing as we put additional lights and new floors to make shopping a better experience,” Adolfo told reporters.

All of the mall’s 200 tenants will resume their full operation by July 2021 as logistical hurdles brought by the pandemic have been delaying repair works, according to the official.

To avoid fire incidents in the future, Adolfo said the management, tenants, and concerned agencies have been making collaborative actions to ensure the safety and security of the entire mall.

The blaze on Oct. 23, 2019, consumed at least 30 percent of the mall, mostly on the second floor, prompting the management to shut down the operation of the region’s biggest shopping destination.

The management has encouraged mall-goers to strictly adhere to health protocols by wearing a face mask and face shield, submit to temperature check upon entry, observe physical distancing, stepping on foot bath, and proper hand sanitation.

The mall also limits the number of customers allowed inside stores, restrooms, elevators, and restaurants will be limited to regulate foot traffic.

The Gokongwei-owned mall in the city’s Marasbaras district has been serving over two million shoppers in Eastern Visayas since its opening in June 2009, according to the RLC website.

The mall was also damaged by super typhoon Yolanda in 2013 and a strong earthquake in 2017.

The two-story mall has a total floor area of 65,500 including its annex building that opened in 2011 and the three-story expansion wing launched in 2016. (PNA)


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