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.

NHA Davao turn over the Balai Pamaynokan to Ata-Manobo in Talaingod, Davao.

Davao City, Davao

National Housing Authority (NHA) Davao region branch had turn over of 100 housing units to Ata-Manobo community in So. Cuyas, Brgy. Sto. Niño, Talaingod, Davao del Norte on October 27, 2021.

Balai Pamanoykan is the collective effort of the National Housing Authority, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Municipal Government of Talaingod, Barangay Government of Barangay Sto. Niño, and the Indigenous Cultural Community of Ata-Manobo tribe in

response to the LG's intent to avail of NHA's Housing Assistance Program for Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs)/Indigeous Peoples (IPs).

The project involves the provision of financial and technical assistance to the local government of Talaingod in coordination with the NCIP and the IP Community in the development of the housing site in the IP's Ancestral Domain.

The project is designed to ensure that the IPs' economic, social and cultural well-being through the provision of basic services of housing will be protected and promote their active participation in the whole process.

📸 NHA Davao Region

Panabo Flyover is officially open to the public on July 16

PANABO CITY, Davao The Panabo Flyover in Panabo City, Davao del Norte will be accessible to the public now, It was open last Thursday, July 16, 2020. It is the first Flyover project in the province of Davao del Norte that will open this year. It cost Php 76 Million (pesos).
It was officially inaugurated by the DPWH Davao together with the local official of the city. 📷 City Government of Panabo

Jollibee Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte opens on July 5, 2018

Photo: Jollibee Bangkal, Davao City (For presentation only)

DAVAO CITY, Davao
— Jollibee, the leading fast food chain in the Philippines, will opened its first store in Santo Tomas, Davao del Norte on July 5, 2018.

The Sto. Tomas branch is the 133rd Jollibee store in Mindanao and the first Jollibee store in Mindanao that open in a municipality level.

Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte is one of the fast-rising economy in Davao region.

Jollibee - Sto Tomas, Davnor (actual photo at night) ctto

2014 PRISAA National Games Best Ever

Tagum City, Davao — Officials of the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) were all praises to the provincial government of Davao del Norte and the city government of Tagum for their unprecedented hosting of the on-going national collegiate games.
PRISAA National Chair Dr. Emmanuel Angeles said the province has set a new standard in the hosting of the annual event.

“The PRISAA venues in the coming years must learn from Davao del Norte,” he said, as he lauded Governor Rodolfo del Rosario for his great vision and plan for sports development, among other programs.
PRISAA President Dr. Ma. Lita Montalban hailed the working public-private partnership thrust of the province that set a record in the holding of the college sports conclave.
“This is the best ever hosting of the national PRISAA games,” she told members of the media before the opening rites.

About 10,000 delegates and spectators witnessed the grand kick-off ceremonies Sunday afternoon at the world-class Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex (DNSTC), with Philippine Sports Commissioner Akiko Thompson-Guevarra keynoting the opening extravaganza that was capped by a spectacular fireworks display.

Aside from being the first national PRISAA meet ever to be held in the Davao region, Montalban bared it is the first time in 61 years that the organization did not spend for the logistic of the games.
She acknowledged Gov. del Rosario for allotting P1.5 million, together with Mayor Allan Rellon who put up P250,000 for the event.

This enabled the association to only take care of allowances of athletes and officials, as well as, the integrity of the billeting quarters. She also cited the warmest welcome party, where no less than provincial and city officials personally receiving the delegates.
“Here, we feel that we are first-class citizens,” Montalban said, after lamenting the lack of government support to private schools sporting events in the past.

Del Rosario said the investment of the province and the city is well worth it given the gains of visitor spending in spurring the local economy.
“You cannot imagine the economic benefit that our province and city is getting out of it,” he said.
With each individual athlete given an allowance of P500 per day, the governor said over P2 million is daily added to the local economy within the duration of the games.

(R-L) PRISAA National Chair Dr. Emmanuel Angeles, PSC Commissioner Akiko Thompson-Guevara, Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario, Board Member Shirley Belen Aala and 1st District Cong. Anthony del Rosario welcome the delegates at the opening of the 2014 PRISAA national games.

Delegates from Region 7 who promised to defend their crown to win a four-peat victory in the 2014 PRISAA national games.

source: Davaodelnorte.gov.ph

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

A sample of how PPP can work in Tagum City

SDC Corporate News

TAGUM CITY, Davao
—The relocation and housing program of the city government got a boost with financial help from two of the country’s biggest real property developers.
Mayor Rey Uy said Sta. Lucia Realty and Amaia Land Corp. gave P5 million for the improvement of drainage systems and road concreting in at least three housing projects built under the city’s relocation and socialized housing projects.

Sta. Lucia sent P3.5 million while Amaia gave P1.5 million, he said.
The donations, Uy said, is part of the companies’ social responsibility program.
Under Republic Act No. 7279, which is also known as Urban Development Housing Act of 1992, developers are required to help develop an area for socialized housing, he said.
“Public-private partnership is vital in the development of socialized housing for the urban poor,” Uy said as he welcomed the help from the two companies.
He said the financial assistance from the two companies had been transferred to the city government’s trust fund.

It will be used in at least two relocations sites that host housing projects for city government workers—the Iga Uy Village and Laureta Homes, the mayor said.
Michael Ang, head of the city’s task force on resettlement and anti-squatting project, said the donations were prompted by the fact that Tagum City has more local government-initiated housing programs compared to other areas.

In 2009, the local government embarked on a housing project for city employees, becoming Southern Mindanao’s first local government to undertake such project.
Conceptualized through local legislation, the “city homes project” seeks to provide affordable housing units for local government workers.
The project eventually became the City Employees Village, which sits on a 59,849-square meter property in Barangay Magugpo.


source: Inquirer.net
by: Frinston Lim, contributor in Inquirer Mindanao.