INTERVIEW WITH:
What are your experiences in terms of planning and implementation?
As a developer, Ar. Go said that it is a business of their family ever since he was still young. What
is good about it being a family business he said is that they work both as developers and
designers of their projects, giving them the utmost freedom to change their minds whenever
they wish to. They started with focus on housing and evolved to developing, hotels,
condominiums, schools etc. He compared their work against Goshen land; whose ways are to
conduct pre- selling before the construction has been completed, he said that even though they
were capable of conducting pre-selling, their main focus was quality and not quantity. What
they wanted was to advertise to buyers what is then and there available, without persuading
them with false promises.
1. What are the things you consider in terms of planning and implementation?
Because of it being a family business, it was the second generation of their family who
thrived as developers; having been trained and gained much more skills as oppose to their
previous generation of family. When it comes to planning and implementation he stated
that their approach is a more passionate approach. Their goal is to renovate individual
housing and sell it as it is rather than to conduct pre-selling which he said poses a danger
when the developer couldn’t deliver the product.
2. Do you strictly follow whatever is on the plans?
Ar. Go, said no. since they are both serving as developers and designers, they act upon
quality and change their minds whenever this has not been met.
3. What are your opinions regarding cluster housing?
He said that, with regard to cluster housing, it is important to have a balance between the
outdoor and indoor spaces. In reality he stated, that the outdoor spaces are overruled by
the indoor spaces. He said that because of this, children are much prone to rather stay
indoors because of the lack of an outdoor playground; his thoughts is that a better layout
would be is to have 70% open spaces and 30% indoor spaces.
A. Opinions on BP 220 and PD 957?
Regarding the purpose of the laws, he said that it deviates from the purpose of a subdivision. A
question whether this laws are working or not, he stated that “they should review it” “they”
being the government bodies who procured the law.
1. Do you think that these standards actually satisfy the needs of the users?
Ar. Go said yes, these standards are enough but it must be intelligently designed as to take
advantage also of the outdoor spaces. The minimum standards like the 22 sq.m. for
economic, and 18 sq. m. for socialized must be so humanely designed and intelligent enough
to cope with the needs of the users.
2. Do you think that these standards are being applied by other developers?
Ar. Go said yes, but he also added that people should question the standards that they are
applying. An example would be regarding the criteria of cars being able to park on-street. He
stated that streets should be designed minimally since 95% of the time, streets are not used
during day time. This would allow children to continue customs of the Philippine genre to
play outdoors on streets and allow for community relations.
3. As a developer, are there anything you wish to revise with these standards?
Ar. Go is truly passionate about having wide outdoor spaces when designing, he said that
there should be more outdoor space allocation. Regarding the parking of residents within
the subdivision, he said that a provision of a motor court is a must; collecting all cars and
allowing the subdivision for a much safer pedestrian access. This would also allow for a
wider outdoor space allocation intended for the formation of community relations.
B. What is your total experience as a developer?
As a developer, his experience is a diverse one; since they were able to develop housing, hotels,
condominiums, schools etc. Because of it being a business of their family he said, that he was
able to come to it with a passionate feeling. Their prime consideration is to produce quality
work with cost being the last thing in mind. He said that many wouldn’t thrive if their main goal
is to get rich instantly, in many professions this would be how you would end up losing.
1. What are the problems you usually encounter as a developer?
Ar. Go said that he had problems with time, quality, and cost but, mainly with workmanship.
He further added that Malaysia and Thailand are way better when it comes to workmanship.
The quality of Filipino laborers are lacking, they lack in schooling to produce quality work.
2. Why did you choose to be a developer?
3. What are your advice to aspiring developers?
Ar. Go stated that most developers are contractors and engineers. He also said that, if you wish
to be a developer you must hire architects to do the designs and one must also learn about
management to succeed.