Economy | Where Growth Meets Lifestyle: Gaisano Grand Mall Powers Up Carmen Davnor's Economy

Mall Spotlight: The Upcoming Gaisano Grand Mall Carmen in Carmen, Davao del Norte

A new growth node is emerging in northern Mindanao with the imminent opening of Gaisano Grand Mall in the municipality of Carmen, Davao del Norte. The project signals confidence in the local economy and underscores Carmen’s expanding role as a commercial and logistics hub.

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Strategic Location & Market Potential

Carmen sits at a crossroads of agriculture, aquaculture and regional trade in Davao del Norte. According to local profiles, the municipality is a major producer of rice, corn, banana and coconut, and supports vibrant fisheries and aquaculture operations. Discover Davao Infrastructure upgrades are underway: for example, improvement of the Saturnino R. Silva Road in Carmen is nearing completion, enhancing connectivity for commerce and travel in the area. DPWH

Adding to that, there is growing investor attention: in late 2023, Chinese business groups explored opportunities in Carmen and surrounding municipalities in Davao del Norte, signalling readiness for industrial, real-estate and agricultural investment. Philippine News Agency+1

For a major mall operator like the Gaisano group, locating in Carmen means tapping into a market that is both increasing in purchasing power and underserved in modern retail infrastructure. The region’s growing population, improved transport linkages, and retail demand from both locals and commuters make it a compelling expansion site.

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What the Mall Brings – and What It Means

The arrival of Gaisano Grand Mall in Carmen is more than a retail addition — it’s a symbol of urbanising momentum. For consumers, it provides a one-stop lifestyle and shopping destination, reducing the need to travel to larger cities. For smaller businesses and suppliers, it opens a steady channel for trade and services.

For the municipality and province, the mall can serve as an anchor for further commercial development. It can attract food & beverage outlets, entertainment tenants, logistics support services, and even satellite offices or co-working spaces. In economic development terms, it helps shift local activity from purely agricultural to mixed-use commerce, thus broadening the economic base.

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Business Implications

• Local employment: Mall operations (retail, security, maintenance, F&B) generate direct jobs, while ancillary services (cleaning, supply chain, transport) create indirect opportunities.

• Supplier sourcing: The region’s strong agricultural output (bananas, coconut, aquaculture) provides raw‐material sourcing opportunities for F&B, retail chains and outlets inside the mall.

• Consumer retention: Instead of spending in the regional capital or travelling out, residents of Carmen and nearby towns may now choose to shop and dine locally — meaning greater local economic circulation.

• Urban pull: Improved amenities raise the quality of life, making Carmen more appealing for residential development, thereby increasing foot traffic and retail demand.

• Investor signal: The establishment of a major brand’s mall signals confidence in the locality, encouraging further investment in logistics, housing, services and even light manufacturing.

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The Outlook

As the mall opens its doors, stakeholders — from the local government to entrepreneurs and residents — stand to benefit. The challenge will lie in sustaining foot traffic and integrating the retail ecosystem with the wider economy of Carmen and Davao del Norte. Effective integration means: attracting anchor tenants, ensuring access via roads and transport, and aligning with local supplier networks and services.

In short: the upcoming Gaisano Grand Mall in Carmen is more than a retail destination — it’s a milestone in the region’s economic transition, marking Carmen’s shift from agrarian-based municipality to emerging commercial centre.

Carmen Investment Promotion by Mayor Marcelino Perandos

by: Jeanevive Duron-Abangan/PIA-XI

CARMEN, Davao del Norte, Davao.
→ The local government of Carmen is intensifying its investment promotion to entice more investors to locate their businesses and pour investments into the municipality.

Municipal Mayor Marcelino Perandos said the Municipal Council last year passed the Local Tax Incentives Code granting tax exemptions to investors, and that the Business Bureau of the municipal government had streamlined the processes of approving business permits.

“Our business bureau facilitates business permit processing to make it fast,” he said. “This is in addition to the fact that we have the lowest business fees and charges in the entire Davao del Norte,” he added.

In a separate interview, Municipal Investment Promotion Officer Dominador Borres cited a salient provision of the Local Tax Incentives Code particularly the granting of tax fees exemptions to an investor who can employ 100 local workers. The code also grants tax holidays for every P10 million investments.

The municipal government is on its fourth year this year in rolling out its one-stop-shop for business licensing and business permits approval, done every January since 2009, Borres said.

The NCCC Mall is among the early business locators in Carmen, Davao del Norte.

The Gaisano is expected to finally put up its grand mall structure early next year as it has already acquired the Carmen Business Park at the cost of P69 million.

Perandos bared substantial profit out of the Gaisano’s acquisition of the Business Park which the municipal government had developed , spending about P20 million.

Meanwhile, Perandos said the municipal government has been addressing the issue of flooding in their municipality.

Annually, he said the local government allots P5 million to flood control infrastructure and dredging of creeks.

The municipal government also received last year P100 million assistance from the 2nd District Congressional Office of House Representative Antonio F. Lagdameo for the flood control project of the LGU. The funding has helped in minimizing flood occurrences in the municipality.

Perandos also gave credit to Davao del Norte Provincial Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario who channeled to Carmen a substantial share of P190 million funds for opening of access roads through the No Barangay Left Behind Program.

Recently, Del Rosario brought thrice to Carmen the convergence for peace and development known as Convergence, which pools together various projects and services of the provincial government, the 1003rd Infantry Brigade and the Provincial Police Office.

Alongside the Convergence, Del Rosario also inaugurated farm-to-market and bridge projects to open up agricultural areas of Carmen, providing farmers and traders easy access to markets and urban centers.


source: pia.gov.ph