IS Dagupan City opening its doors to SM, the biggest chain of malls in the country?
Mayor Benjamin Lim has confirmed that he has had talks with SM retail group president and director Hans T. Sy, who expressed interest in locating in Barangay Tambac here.
“I welcome them for as long as they comply with the rules and regulations for them to acquire a business permit here,” Lim said.
However, Lim admitted that SM’s target location falls under the category of a fishpond, an issue that the mayor himself has been rallying against, particularly the conversion of fishponds into commercial lots.
The mayor earlier rejected the application for the construction of a luxury hotel in Barangay Lucao by the family of Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez invoking a city ordinance that prohibits commercial development in identified agricultural areas.
Lim said he has urged Sy to submit a development plan for the city government’s approved and endorsement by the Sangguniang Panglunsod.
“I will recommend to the SP to conduct a public hearing para doon sa maapektuhang sektor sa lungsod, especially the retailers and the market vendors who will be the first one to be affected.” he said.
He added “SM will have to go through the process and we will evaluate the recommendation of the Sanggunian to the mayor’s office.”Lim stressed that the talk between him and Sy is not yet “a done deal.”
Lim said one of the considerations that the city government will look into is the income from taxes that SM can bring into Dagupan.
SM is currently operating a branch in Rosales town.
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