JJC Group Development Asia Sdn. Bhd. (JJC) carried out the Ground Breaking Ceremony together with The Municipal Government of Bataraza (Local Government Unit / LGU) on July 18, 2024 for “Bataraza: The Smart City”.

The Municipal Government of Bataraza was represented by HON. ABRAHAM M. IBBA, Bataraza Mayor. While, JJC Group Development Asia Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia, was represented by SIR JISMIT BIN JAPONG, President & CEO.

JJC had previously signed a Memorandum of Agreement with The LGU on June 18, 2024, to develop “Bataraza: The Smart City.” This Memorandum of Agreement is further to the Memorandum of Understanding signed between JJC and LGU dated 30^th November 2023.

The Municipality of Bataraza, located at the southernmost tip of the Palawan mainland, is approximately 170 km north of the Sabah mainland. Palawan is renowned for its beaches and untouched natural environments, attracting many tourists each year. Similarly, tourism is the second largest industry in Sabah. Geographically, the municipality has great potential to be a gateway connecting the Philippines and Sabah, and Malaysia as a whole, facilitating trade and tourism.

The municipality’s large amount of cleared or planted agricultural land also minimizes the need for greenfield site clearing, and the Local Government Unit has been welcoming of foreign investment.

Development Objectives:

1. Sustainable, Resilient, and Smart City: Focus on sustainable city development with smart connectivity, advanced infrastructure management, green spaces, environmental protection, and resilient planning, while creating a self-sustaining economy and society.
2. Economic and Tourism Development: Promote eco-tourism, develop new tourism attractions, create economic platforms, integrate technological hubs, and ensure long-term economic growth for Bataraza, while ensuring jobs are mid to high paying and long-term.
3. Enhanced Public Services and Education: Improve public safety with technological integrations, offer innovative healthcare solutions including international telemedicine, and enhance education with high-quality institutions. 

Development Details:

• Project estimated budget: USD 8.0 billion, funded by JJC with an international consortium.
• Land area: Over 2,000 hectares.
• Key components include:
  1. City Infrastructure: New highways, water treatment facilities, power supply facilities, fire safety facilities, and city safety facilities.
  2. Transportation Hubs: An airport, a seaport, and an integrated transportation system.
  3. Five Units of Five-Star Hotels: Including 2 no. of 5-star hotels with casinos, and 2 no. of 5-star resorts.
  4. Tourist and Event Attractions: Existing and new eco-tourism products, a theme park, convention centre, stadium, Formula 1 racetrack, cable car system, 18 hole golf club, and more.
  5. Commercial & Residential Spaces: Shopping malls, a new city core, and various residential spaces.
  6. Municipal Buildings: A new Local Government office building, and Bataraza Tower (a new landmark for Bataraza).

The Development will commence at the first Barangay of Bataraza, Inogbong, and subsequently spread to the other Barangays of Bataraza.

The Development prioritises local consultants, contractors, and manpower from Bataraza and Palawan, and JJC is committed to adhere to all Philippine laws while also respecting the Indigenous Peoples of the area.

The LGU and JJC aim to create a city that is economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable and resilient. The designs respect Bataraza’s heritage, environment, community, and people, while also considering the future generations as well.

Further, this Development & Investment is expected to create a large amount of job opportunities, organically attract additional foreign investments, and significantly contribute to the economic growth and opportunities for Bataraza.

This project is expected to further enhance the close ties between Sabah, Malaysia and Philippines.

The President of JJC, Sir Jismit bin Japong, is also committed and will lobby to the Government of Sabah to ensure that the ferry service between Bataraza, Palawan and Kudat, Sabah is restarted in the very near future. This ferry service is expected to bring economical benefits to both Bataraza, Palawan and Kudat, Sabah, in view of the large investment to develop Bataraza: The Smart City.

JJC also intends to establish, with the agreement of the LGU and the Philippine Government, a duty-free zone with Bataraza: The Smart City, in an effort to establish an off-shore banking finance hub.