Pueblo de Oro sets standard
Twenty-seven years after Pueblo de Oro was established, the quality features and facilities that it introduced have gained even more relevance as the country and the province transition to the ‘new normal’, and as the population learns to live with the realities of the coronavirus.
Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation (PDO) launched the Pueblo de Oro Township in Cagayan de Oro in 1995. Pueblo de Oro, the residential development arm of the ICCP Group, did not compromise on the features that the 400-hectare master-planned community would offer the local Kagay-anons and others who wish to reside in this beautiful southern province. From residential condominiums, townhouses, studio-type apartments, to more exclusive homes, the township set pioneering standards that offered the gold standard of living, with the best value for money.
But with the pandemic, Pueblo de Oro’s development philosophy has naturally aligned to respond to the new requirements as society transitions to the new normal ways of living, according to Guillermo Luchangco, Pueblo de Oro chairman and chief executive officer.
Pueblo de Oro has always been generous with open spaces in its communities, and this practice started in the flagship township in Cagayan de Oro. The developer allocates a good portion of the property to open and green spaces — providing residents with such amenities as parks, lawns and playgrounds, jogging paths, bike lanes, and nature trails. These areas are covered with trees, grass, and natural features that allow homeowners to enjoy outdoor activities, take a breath of fresh air, and relax.
The centerpiece of this haven of nature is a 40-hectare rainforest that PDO set aside and retained, in close coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Aside from the views it offers, the urban forest contributes to the improvement of the community’s air quality by naturally filtering pollutants.
The rainforest provides a peaceful and relaxing setting for Westwoods, a 14-hectare subdivision nestled at the heart of the forest. Westwoods offers a harmonious balance of natural and man-made amenities to be in tune and in touch with nature.
The Cagayan de Oro township is ideally situated and allows easy access to essential establishments like schools and hospitals and malls. It is, for example, in close proximity to Saint Francis Doctor’s Hospital & Medical Center, while SM City Cagayan de Oro, Xavier University, and Corpus Christi School are within the bounds of the Township.
To further improve residents’ access to their day-to-day needs, Pueblo de Oro has constructed a three-story commercial building called The Hub at Bamboo Lane that will house retail and service outlets to serve homeowners in the valley portion of the Township.
“Due to COVID-19, people are looking for more accessible retail centers that are less dense, with open air design rather than big box malls with high population,” said Luchangco.
Business and employment opportunities are also available with the Pueblo Business Park and the PEZA-accredited Pueblo I.T. Ecozone situated within this masterplanned estate.
These business and commercial districts offer opportunities to both entrepreneurs and career-driven individuals.
Another landmark of the CDO township is the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club (Pueblo Golf) which boasts of an all-weather championship golf course designed by renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Popularly known as host to local and international tournaments, Pueblo Golf’s design accentuates the preservation of the green environs and provides a picturesque landscape for exclusive subdivisions within the township. The Grove is surrounded by the greens and open spaces of the golf course, while The Enclave is a premier residential community along the fairways.
“Pueblo de Oro has always believed in putting quality design and responsible engineering into its developments,” Luchangco said, adding that PDO has consistently paid attention to environmental protection, flood control measures, and green living for its homeowners.
Residences in the township are built with flood safety in mind, especially for those located in the valley area of the property, such as Bamboo Lane. The residences in Bamboo Lane are elevated and built 20 meters above sea level, and the company also commissioned a flood study prior to construction to ensure safety against the typhoons that frequent the country.
In addition to drainage systems that allow rainwater to spread through different canals, an outflow and detention pond contain water runoff before dispersal into the creeks and protect the lower areas and neighboring communities from flooding.
“Pueblo de Oro understands that an ideal home or community is not just about stunning structures, impressive facades and designs,” explained Luchangco. “It is also about structurally-sound developments and world-class engineering that go beyond comfort and class— developments that are environmentally sustainable.”
