(The Philippine Star) | Updated January 23,
2013 - 12:00am
MANILA,
Philippines - RLC has again been recognized for its pioneering efforts in
commercial centers, this time by the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA).
The PRA has
conferred the Shopping Center of the Year for 2012 award in the small category
to Robinsons Place Dumaguete, for its “pioneering effort to bring to the
province the well known brands from Manila and for providing local shoppers the
opportunity to experience the levels of customer service and shopping
facilities otherwise only seen in big cities in the country.”
“As the first
full service mall in the province, Robinsons Place Dumaguete was able to introduce
to Dumagueños the modern malling lifestyle. And it is the only mall in Negros
Oriental and the city to have three world class cinemas,” said Joseph Sian, RLC
operations director for Vis-Min.
Sian noted
that the two-level Robinsons Place Dumaguete was chosen by the PRA as this
year’s winner in the small category, due to several reasons.
“It was based
on the mall’s completeness of retail and product mix; availability of clean
restrooms; PWD (persons with disability) friendly facilities; convenience facilities
such as Wi-fi, elevators, clinic, hotel; and marketing programs,” Sian
explained.
“We have very
diverse marketing and promotion scheme that includes sports, cultural,
historical and educational events, with which we earned an award from the city
for ‘Exemplary Civic Mindednes,’” he said, adding that since “the mall first
opened its door to the public in 2009 it has exhibited sales growth of 25.9
percent. ”
“Further, we
were judged according to our leasing policies and procedures that are tenant
friendly. At the same time, we made sure that we will follow an environmentally
friendly operation through our waste water treatment facility and various
programs that promote and protect the environment ,” Sian explained.
Since it
opened in 2009, Robinsons Place Dumaguete has become the city’s public plaza
where most local and civic activities
are being held. The mall has also participated in health advocacy programs by
partnering with organizations to give free check ups, diagnostic and varied
treatment to children with disabilities. The mall is also set to open its
Lingkod Pinoy Center featuring Philhealth Express and the Department of Foreign
Affairs.
“Because of
this, the Dumaguete City Council created a resolution expressing its gratitude
to the mall for its outstanding civic involvement,” Sian said.
He said,
RLC’s entry in the province of Dumaguete has altered the way of life of most
Dumagueños, thus making the place that is more popularly known as the
University City of the South, more lively and interesting. To date, Robinsons
Place Dumaguete serves over a million Filipinos from the province of Negros
Oriental, Southern Cebu, Siquijor as well as Northern and Southern Negros.
Robinsons
Malls is to date one of the largest, most successful chains of malls in the
country. It has a very strong presence in the Visayas having established six
commercial centers in different areas such as Bacolod, Iloilo, Tacloban, Cebu
and soon Roxas.
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