Landco Pacific Corp. and Aplaya Laiya Corp. (ALC) recently executed a deed of donation for a 7,000-square-meter parcel of land to the Oblates of Saint Joseph for the construction of a new parish, the Parish Church of Saint Joseph Marello in Laiya, San Juan, Batangas.

The groundbreaking ceremony was preceded by a mass at Laiya Coco Grove to ensure the speedy and safe completion of the new church. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and the groundbreaking followed at the site, headed by Landco Vice Chairman and Executive Director Alfred Xerez-Burgos Jr., ALC President Rene Aguirre, San Juan Mayor Rudy Manalo and Oblates of Saint Joseph Provincial Superior Father Ronulfo Alkonga.

Also present were Landco Vice President for Technical Jose Antonio Xerez-Burgos, Landco Senior Vice President for Operations Cris Zuluaga, Landco Chief Financial Officer Syam Devineni, ALC Senior Vice President Allen Staley and Barangay Chairman Wivin Llana.

The construction of the new church will give parishioners in Laiya their own church after years of hearing mass in San Juan Nepomuceno Church at the town proper. The place of worship will also create a stronger sense of community between the property owners, the future residents of Playa Laiya and the surrounding communities.

Upon completion, the Parish Church of Saint Joseph Marello, is expected to stimulate even further commercial growth and tourism in the area—through year-round wedding ceremonies and the traditional Visita Iglesia during Holy Week.