AYALA'S TOP EXECUTIVES VISIT U.S. EMBASSY PROJECT
By: Kyle B. Aranza / Posted March 2011

Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ayala Corporation, and Fernando Zobel de Ayala, President and Chief Operating Officer of Ayala Corporation, visited the U.S. Embassy New Office Annex 1 (NOX-1) and Veterans Affairs Clinic (NOX-3) last February 28, 2011. The visit was made by Ayala Land, Inc. and Makati Development Corporation, the General Contractor, as the embassy prepares for Consular operations this March. Prior to the Zobels' visit, Antonino T. Aquino (President of Ayala Land Inc.), made a site inspection to ensure that everything is fit and of top quality.

NOX-1, a 72,000 square meter facility, evokes to mind a vibrant yet functional mixture of indigenous Filipino culture and modern American ingenuity. It was designed by a talented team of Filipino architects, engineers, and craftsmen – making it the first and only embassy designed by local contractors. It is also the second largest processing post next to the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

Through its ninety nine (99) newly-installed interview windows, the NOX-1 Consular Section is aimed at providing better service and faster processing for applicants and visitors to the United States. Providing Immigrant, Non-Immigrant Visa Services and American Citizen Services to hundreds of people daily, it is regarded to as one of the busiest consular operations in the world – hence the need for facility improvement.

NOX-3, which is located at the Seafront Compound, houses the Veterans Affairs (VA) Clinic, various laboratories, and the VA Benefits Office. As the only VA healthcare facility located in a foreign country, it has been serving as an integral part of the United States’ mission to the Republic of the Philippines.

Opening its doors for business last January 24, 2011, the new Out Patient Clinic (OPC) provides world-class health care and support for the Veterans medical needs through the use of newly-installed, modern diagnostic equipment and increased clinical and administrative space.

Both NOX-1 and NOX-3 are registered under the U.S. Green Building Council and equipped with state-of-the-art safety, security, and sustainability systems. These facilities are indeed world class icons which are uniquely Filipino and impressively American.