It was a busy June 5 morning when the strong rain suddenly poured down resulting in the immediate traffic slow-down in the vicinity of Crossing, Calamba City. As the rain was continuously falling and there was no sign of it letting up, I decided to just take a walk to Waltermart from the fruit stands since I was assigned to man the exhibit booth for that day. I then zig-zagged my way past the vehicles and started walking to reach my destination. I was already near the department store when I noticed that the blue long-spanned galvanized iron sheets have been put up.
Who would not recognize the two lettered giant of the retail chains? Who would not recall the department store who tag themselves as the one who have got it all? Who would dare challenge the might and financial muscle of Henry Sy and his group of companies? But such is the way of development.
The site forms part of former ricefields that has been converted to commercial land with the advent of big businesses. It was, still is, and will be the site of more bustles and hustles as another major player comes in to the city. Soon, everybody will be trooping in to this new destination.
And with this, the market value of the nearby lands and establishments will soar into a new high. The farmers who use to plant and harvest on the land has seen better days for their crops. And land conversion is easily being cited as the reason for the alleged rice shortage but a housing expert has denied that this is the case. He told the real estate brokers gathered during a brokers' forum that the main reason for the decrease in output was that the farmers shifted to corn and other crops as they find it difficult to get a fair price for their produce. Now, the farmers are shifting back to rice as palay prices has gone up excessively and they will be earning more if they will produce rice.
In the meantime, money, machineries and manpower of big businesses continue to operate, even when it rains, and they are now readying themselves to get a fair share of business from Calamba and nearby places. Will this redound to the majority's benefits or will it just signal the demise of bustling commerce from the city's traders? The city of my affection needs to brace themselves up as SM Calamba will soon be constructed.
Tags: Business Commercial Land Development Farmland Pinoyland Plant Rain
