The year saw Cagayan de Oro City and the rest of Northern Mindanao slowly rise from the effects of the pandemic with stores reopening, construction projects continuing, more dining options and new projects being launched. It was also election year and new leaders were elected both at the national and local levels. Here is our PROGRESS WATCH: 2022 YEARENDER – a compilation of some of the major developments in and around the City of Golden Friendship and the region during the year.
NEW OPENINGS – After a few years, Gaisano City Carmen was finally opened in October 2022. Meanwhile, SM City Cagayan de Oro was renamed to SM City CDO Uptown with the opening of its North Wing Expansion.
FOOD and DINING – It was definitely the year of the unlimited samgyupsal craze. More diners have opened serving the popular Korean grilled meat while existing restaurant have added samgyupsal in their menu. While food parks continued to draw customers, SM City CDO Uptown North Wing became a new dining destination with new restaurants opening one after the other in the last couple of months. Also, popular Korean coffee shop chain Tom N Toms finally opened its first store in Cagayan de Oro. Fastfood chains Jollibee, McDonalds and Chowking continued their expansion with new branches. Elysee Cafe, Carlyle’s and August Cafe were some of the stand alone fine restaurants to open this year in the city. Julio’s Cafe became the latest diner to open along Route 955. Just recently, Korum opened with a great overlooking view of the city. In Ozamiz City, a lifestyle destination opened with Oakhill Park. Meanwhile, Station 5 Events Place became the city’s newest venue for events nestled atop a hill in Malasag.
COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION – Significant progress were observed on construction of large commercial developments like Gaisano City Uptown Mall, TH Mall Puerto, SR Mall in Jasaan, The Hub at Pueblo de Oro, and Gaisano Valencia Mall, among others. The under construction Hamersons Hotel was finally revealed.
OTHER INDUSTRIES UPDATE – Yakult El Salvador Plant, the largest industrial investment in El Salvador City is now almost done. In the BPO industry, Ubiquity and Outsource Access opened in Cagayan de Oro.
GOVERNMENT FACILITIES – the year saw continuation of major government initiated infrastructure such as Quezon Civic Center in Quezon, Bukidnon, the DOST Planetarium in El Salvador City, the completed new Cagayan de Oro Community Amphitheater, the new City Hospital Lumbia, the ongoing Bukidnon Airport Development Project in Don Carlos, Bukidnon, the Bukidnon Sports and Cultural Complex in Laguitas, Malaybalay City, the new City Memorial Park Redevelopment Project, the Naawan Olympic-sized Swimming Pool in Naawan, Misamis Oriental, the new Opol Municipal Hall, the new MisOr Provincial Jail in Initao, Misamis Oriental, the new MisOcc Medical Center in Oroquieta City, the Ozamiz Mega Arena, the Naawan Town Center, the completed new Initao Municipal Hall, the Oroquieta City Bayfront Arena, the Mandulog River Esplanade in Iligan City, among others.
REAL ESTATE UPDATES – Two ongoing high rise projects in Cagayan de Oro – Aspira Towers (2nd tower in the final stages) and Casa Mira Towers (both towers steadily rising). Meanwhile, the much awaited Manresa Town project by Cebu Landmasters together with Xavier University’s Masterson Campus finally broke ground. New developments included Coral Bay Suites in Initao, Misamis Oriental, Pueblo de Oro’s Westwood Storeys, SMDC’s Vale Residences, the start of Intalio Estates and its condo development Intalio Flats, Alveo’s Bayview Heights in Tablon, the ongoing Primavera City Phases 2 and 3 and IDC Homes’ Verona Green Apartments. The Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental also announced the proposed Capitol Park Development.
TOURISM DEVELOPMENTS – Tourism which was the hardest hit during the pandemic started to pick up this year with easing of travel restrictions brought about by the significant decrease in Covid cases. More developments along Route 955 in Claveria were observed with resthouses, resorts sprouting one after another including Paula’s Mountain Ridge, Hiraya Farm Escape, Romualda’s Vacation House, and many others. Amaya View in Cagayan de Oro also continued its expansion with The Vineyard and Kubo. MJN Farm and Cafe also opened in CDO.
New hotel openings included Primelux Hotel, Benrose Hotel, Our Story Boutique Hotel Expansion, 1001 Nights Hotel and lately, Alming Guest House. Amaya View also opened its Kubo cluster.
A major tourism project broke ground with Misamis Occidental Resort and Aquamarine Park.
MEDICAL FACILITIES – Cagayan de Oro primed as the regional health center with new facilities like St Francis Doctors’ Hospital and Medical Center, ACE Medical Center, City Hospital Lumbia and ongoing CDO Medical Center Building 4 and the announced Capitol University Medical Center Expansion. Gingoog City’s San Isidro Polymedic General Hospital is also now almost done.
ROADS AND BRIDGES – Significant progress of Panguil Bay Bridge was observed and target completion of December 2023 was announced. Ongoing are Kagay-an Bridge Improvement Project, Macabalan-Bonbon Bridge, Macasandig-Balulang Bridge, Gingoog-Malaybalay Bypass Road, the upcoming New Central Mindanao Highway, the ongoing CDO River Flood Risk Management Project, Upper Carmen-Patag-Kauswagan Diversion Road, New Cagayan de Oro Eastern Diversion Road, Cagayan de Oro (CDO) – Laguindingan – Mountain Diversion Road, and many others.
POLITICS – It was election year and the BBM-SARA tandem won the national elections. In Cagayan de Oro, Rolando Uy succeeded Oscar Moreno as mayor. Peter Unabia meanwhile won the gubernatorial seat. In Bukidnon, Oneil Roque ended the reign of the Zubiri clan.
There are many other updates but we couldn’t list them all.
