For Bangsamoro folk, mall is ‘symbol of progress’
COTABATO CITY—Hundreds of people stormed the newly opened KCC Mall of Cotabato on Wednesday as residents here and from nearby provinces are thrilled to experience a new way of shopping, dining and entertainment in the gigantic mall seen as a symbol of progress, growth and new opportunities for this city and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Several Marine troopers in full battle gear have to reinforce the private security guards to pacify mall goers to prevent a stampede and other untoward incident.
Owned by the Koronadal Commercial Corp., the mall opened at 9 a.m., but mall goers from the city and those from Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur and Cotabato provinces were already queuing as early as 5 a.m.
‘Economic catalyst’
“I would like to avail of the bonus (discount) cards the mall would give to the first 100 customers that is why I came early,” Bai Intan Sultan, a shopper from nearby Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao del Norte, said in the vernacular.
The multibillion-peso mall, built by China Construction Third Engineering and 21st Construction Development Company Consortium, sits on a 19-hectare property a few blocks from the Roman Catholic cathedral, in the heart of Cotabato City.
It has a 180,000-square-meter floor area, the biggest among the four malls under the KCC group. It has eight cinemas still under construction, a huge supermarket, department stores, and multilevel parking areas. Also under construction is an 11-story hotel and state-of-the-art convention center.
Arvin Chan, president and chief executive officer of KCC Group of Companies, said the opening of its biggest mall so far “is a momentous occasion not just for KCC but for Cotabato City and the entire Bangsamoro region.”
The mall, he said, is “a landmark investment that symbolizes progress, opportunity and a shared vision for a brighter future.”
“KCC Mall of Cotabato is designed to be an economic catalyst, creating 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, welcoming diverse talents regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or ability, and providing platforms for local businesses to thrive alongside national and international brands,” he said.
“We are bringing 500 tenants from across the country, introducing global retail experiences while ensuring our local entrepreneurs and farmers have a place in our ecosystem,” he added.
Chan emphasized that the mall’s supermarket will feature “locally sourced products [to] reinforce our support for Mindanao’s agriculture and trade sectors.”
BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua described the operation of KCC Mall of Cotabato “as a big victory and a significant milestone in terms of the economic growth and investment climate of the Bangsamoro region.”
Macacua, who graced Tuesday’s inauguration program ahead of Wednesday’s grand opening, noted that the start of the mall’s operations reflects “the trust of large investors in the region’s security and economic stability.”
“The opening of KCC Mall of Cotabato is not just about a new building—it is about opportunity, hope and progress. This is a big win for the people,” Macacua said.
Game changer
“You not only came to the right place, [but] you made the right decision,” Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao told the mall management.
“This is a game changer and it is not only about welcoming a new shopping destination, it is about embracing progress, economic growth and the spirit of partnership,” Matabalao said.
