Major retailers, investors eye Pagadian expansion

PAGADIAN CITY, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR — Several of the country’s largest retail developers are eyeing investments in this city, including plans to build shopping malls, as the Zamboanga Peninsula’s regional government center continues to attract businesses, Mayor Samuel Co said.

In a recent interview, Co said the Sy family’s SM City, Ayala Corp., Gaisano Mall and membership retail chain S&R Shopping have expressed interest in investing in the city, the capital of Zamboanga del Sur.

If realized, Gaisano’s project would be its second mall in Pagadian.

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“These investments will not only strengthen Pagadian’s economic landscape, but also create employment opportunities for residents and neighboring towns in Zamboanga del Sur,” Co said.

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He attributed the growing investor interest to Pagadian’s emergence as the center of governance in the Zamboanga Peninsula, with 66 regional government offices already relocated from Zamboanga City.

According to Co, the transfer has reinforced the city’s role as a hub for government administration and public service while boosting its appeal as an investment destination.

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Center for governance

“Pagadian is now a center for governance,” he said, citing the city’s strategic location and accessibility as key advantages for both government operations and business activities.

The mayor described the planned investments as a major milestone for Pagadian, which has long sought to strengthen its role not only as the provincial capital, but also as the region’s administrative and economic hub.

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Pagadian was designated as the regional administrative center of the Zamboanga Peninsula under Executive Order No. 429 issued in 1990. Although subsequent directives delayed the relocation of regional offices, the transfer resumed in 2020 under Memorandum Circular No. 78 issued by then President Rodrigo Duterte.

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