Mandaue reclamation project to move forward after nearly a decade of delay

After years of legal limbo, construction is set to resume on the long-delayed 131-hectare GlobalCity Mandaue Project following a landmark Supreme Court ruling.

Real estate developer GlobalCity Mandaue Corp. (GMC) confirmed that it is ready to proceed with the ambitious reclamation and mixed-use development initiative in Mandaue City, Cebu. The project—originally launched in 2016—had faced significant setbacks due to a dispute over environmental and regulatory permits.

“This decision clears the path for sustainable urban growth, job creation, and enhanced economic competitiveness—not just for Mandaue City, but for the entire Central Visayas region,” said GMC legal counsel Atty. Hans Santos.

The Supreme Court recently upheld the legality of the joint-venture agreement signed between GMC and the Mandaue City government in 2014. The ruling affirms earlier decisions by the Pasig Regional Trial Court and Court of Appeals, compelling both parties to proceed with the project in good faith.

Set along the Mactan Channel near the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, the development spans portions of Barangays Paknaan and Umapad. It will include commercial complexes, residential neighborhoods, tourism hubs, and light industrial zones.

The project, first handled by Sultan 900 Inc. and later assumed by GMC, began with mobilization efforts nearly a decade ago. However, it was soon halted due to the local government’s inability to secure required environmental permits, leading to protracted legal challenges.

With the Supreme Court’s decision now final, GMC said it expects to restart development activities in coordination with local and national agencies.

“We are committed to delivering a world-class development that uplifts communities and drives national progress,” Santos added.

Once completed, the GlobalCity Mandaue Project is expected to bring significant infrastructure investment, employment, and long-term economic benefits to Cebu province and the broader Visayas region.