Gaisano-led firm to open Metro store in Baybay City

BAYBAY CITY, Aug. 31 (PNA) – The city government here and the Gaisano-led Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc. (MRSGI) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the opening of a new store here.

The MOA sealed the much awaited investment of the company in the city.

“This will not only give income to the city government, but will also curb unemployment in Baybay,” Mayor Carmen Cari said.

The giant retail firm assured the city government that most workers they will hire are residents of this city.

“The firm will start hiring their employees because they will still need to undergo training especially those who do not have experience,” Cari said.

With the signing of agreement, the company will proceed with the construction of their building that will occupy a hectare property within the reclamation area facing the Camotes Sea.

Earlier, MRSGI paid in advance PHP12 million land rental and paid PHP600,000 security payment at the city treasurer’s office.

The reclamation project, which started in 2013, has an area of 9.5 hectares. It is located adjacent to the Baybay City Public Market. This is part of the development program of the local government to improve the economic activity of the city.

The Gaisano store was established in 1949, when Doña Modesta Gaisano, together with her five sons, established White Gold Department Store, acknowledged as the premiere retailer of post-war Cebu City.

Upon the demise of Doña Modesta in 1981, the Gaisano siblings moved on and pursued their respective business interests, according to the company’s website.

In 1982, second youngest son Victor Gaisano and his wife Sally, built the first Metro Gaisano Department Store and Supermarket in Colon, Cebu City. They started the business from very humble beginnings with their children, Margaret, Jack, Edward and Frank.

Today, Metro Retail Stores Group has transformed itself into a company encompassing multiple store formats: Metro Department Store, Metro Supermarket, Super Metro Hypermarket; and has grown into a company of over 9,000 employees with several stores serving the needs of over 250,000 Filipino shoppers a day. (PNA)
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