On the eve of the 30th anniversary of construction and property development company New San Jose Builders, Inc. (NSJBI), founder Jose Rizalino L. Acuzar, acknowledged that he is casting his sights on “more important things”, other than physical edifices.
“We were founded in 1986, just after the EDSA revolution,” NSJBI chairman Acuzar told The Manila Standard.
The former draftsman/architecture student from Balanga, Bataan who later set up NSJBI as a landscaping and steel works outfit in its early years, took advantage of the halcyon post-EDSA years, beginning with a contract to develop National Housing Authority land and infrastructure in Bagong Silang and nearby areas in Caloocan City.
Over the years, NSJBI has been involved in the 10-hectare Bureau of Internal Revenue housing project in Fairview, the renovation and expansion of the Court of Appeals building, the building of the Quezon City Hall of Justice and the construction of a portion of Southern Tagalog Arterial Road, among other projects.
Recently, NSJBI-built condominiums have included Victoria Towers in Quezon City and three-tower luxury development, The Fort Victoria, in Bonifacio Global City.
Acuzar also owns heritage town Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan.
Not yet finished
With NSJBI’s “AAA” rating as a contractor, Mr. Acuzar established numerous real estate developments in key cities. In 2014, he led the company to finish the construction of The Philippine Arena which made it to the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest indoor arena.
“I’m not yet finished, “ said Acuzar, who is also the chairman of Manuel L. Quezon University since NSJBI acquired the school back in 2014. “In all my years in business, I’ve learned that human development is most important in running a successful company. A lot more people benefit, and that’s what i intend to do next.”
Acuzar kickstarted his new advocacy last year by training groups of employees at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. “I want them to be independent and more values-oriented, and thus be more productive in terms of family and community development. “
The plain-spoken builder revealed that his program is in the “experimental” stage. “I add a little bit of this, tweak a little bit of that, but mostly it’s all about focusing on the important things in life: sustainability, family, community, values,” he said. “People have to believe in what they’re building, what they’re working for. If it were just about money, or employment, then it will not last.”
Expansion in the works
Acuzar said NSJBI’s main business will still be housing. “We have already built almost 50,000 units. But we are focusing more on housing and tourism now,” he said.
He explained that there is an increasing demand for residential products, fuelled by low interest rates and easy financing packages.
“We believe in the next five years, demand will continue to be strong,” he averred.
Catering to the affordable segment of the market, NSJBI offers condominium units priced below P2 million. It also offers down payments as low as 20% of the amount, payable in a 24-month period.
The company brings more than 10,000 units to the market annually to make up for the 3.9 million housing backlog.
Going public?
Because of the continued growth of the real estate market, NSJBI is planning to go public, so as to fund its expansion beyond Metro Manila. Acuzar told The Manila Standard that he is eying urban centers like Cebu or Davao for this growth.
“We are preparing for that. I believe within a five-year period, we will be a public company,” Acuzar said.
He stressed that NSJBI will continue building high-rise towers in Metro Manila to fill in the demand for affordable housing. “I’m partial to vertical projects: they’re easier t manage,” he confessed.
NSJBI’s latest two projects – Victoria de Manila 2 in Manila and Victoria Station 2 in Quezon City – make it the first and only company in the country to provide its residents with a world-class sports centre. Facilities include badminton, basketball, tennis and squash courts, a billiard and table tennis hall, a shooting range and an Olympic-sized swimming pool.