By the staff
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) is expanding its project finance footprint in the Philippines with a P2.786-billion facility for the country’s first data center by Singapore-based Digital Halo (DH).
The funding will cover the construction and development of Phase 1 and core infrastructure of Digital Halo’s MNL1 data center campus in Cainta, Rizal, which will have an initial IT capacity of 6.5 megawatts (MW). The facility is the first of three buildings planned for a 70-MW, scalable, next-generation campus.
RCBC president and CEO Reggie Cariaso said the deal marks a milestone for the bank’s project finance business.
“While we have funded various infrastructures across the nation, today’s signing marks another milestone in RCBC’s project finance history. This is our first-ever project finance deal for a data center facility, underscoring our commitment to the future of the Philippine economy—one that is increasingly driven by data, connectivity, and digital transformation,” Cariaso said.
Strategically located along Luzon’s eastern corridor near Metro Manila’s central business districts, the MNL1 site is designed as a carrier-neutral, Tier 3, hyperscale and AI-ready facility. It will serve hyperscale, AI, and enterprise clients, offering rackspace colocation, hybrid infrastructure, managed IT, and business continuity solutions.
The project is being led by Digital Halo co-founder and CEO Kai Goh and finance director Jovial Ang, with RCBC Capital and RCBC Trust providing financing.
“The backing by RCBC reflects a shared vision to develop critical digital infrastructure to support the digital transformation and growing digital economy in the Philippines,” Goh said. “Their involvement underscores our governance and execution discipline, providing hyperscale and enterprise customers confidence in Digital Halo as a trusted, long-term partner.”
The MNL1 campus will rise on a 3.75-hectare property and is designed to scale up to 70 MW across three buildings. Digital Halo’s Philippine operations are led by industry veteran Maricar Burgos-Nepomuceno, supported by a regional team with extensive IT and data center experience.
The company is also progressing its regional buildout, with Phase 1 of its JHB1 campus in Johor, Malaysia nearing completion.
