Search for properties...
Property Sector E-News Express v22-2017


Philippine real estate’s ‘best kept secret’
Business Mirror | May 23, 2017

Real-estate development is a business of public trust and patience. It’s an industry where players build and reinforce a reputation through innovative thinking, foresight and the determination to create ripples of positive impact to the world we live in. I’ve learned all of these more than a decade ago while working with passionate people from the real-estate sector, like Chris Narciso. Our paths crossed a long time ago and, since then, I’ve had a huge admiration for his advocacy to serve the “great unserved” through the real-estate business. That’s why when I learned that he recently moved to a new company (he recently joined ACM Landholdings Inc. as chief operations officer in April), I told myself it’s about time I reconnect with one of the guys I look up to for his drive and passion to do well by doing good. Read more

Providing more lifestyle options in Sta. Rosa
Manila Bulletin | May 23, 2017

In the rising residential and commercial hub of Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Solen Residences by Greenfield Development Corp. is expanding due to homebuyers’ strong demand for a spacious, nature-rich lifestyle in a community that will last for generations. The 55-hectare horizontal development recently launched the extension of its second phase, in response to the need for more house and lot units for upwardly mobile individuals, newly married couples, and young families who are looking for a high-value home and investment. “The Solen Phase 2 extension is a result of the positive response we received from homebuyers from across the metro who want to own a part of Sta. Rosa,” said Atty. Duane A.X. Santos, EVP and GM of Greenfield Development Corp. Read more

RLC to expand office portfolio in 2017
The Manila Times | May 24, 2017

ROBINSONS Land Corporation (RLC) will expand its office portfolio outside Metro Manila by completing three projects this year, including its Cybergate Delta development in Davao City, which is set for turnover to locators in the third quarter, a company official said. RLC Office Buildings Division General Manager Faraday Go said that expanding its office portfolio is a priority for the developer, both in Metro Manila and in key cities nationwide. “This is in response to the robust growth of the Philippines’ information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) sector, which continues to drive up demand for high quality office spaces in the provinces,” Go said. Read more

Tourism drive spurring hotel, gaming industry
Business World Online | May 24, 2017

The hotel and gaming market is getting a boost from both international and local players, as the government’s plan to increase foreign arrivals stimulates development activity to meet demand, research firm Pinnacle Real Estate Consulting Services, Inc. said in a report. In its Philippine Real Estate Market Insight for the first quarter of 2017, Pinnacle said the hotel and gaming market has been steady, amid the diversifying supply of attractions and the increased number of high-spending tourists. “Demand for commercial-retail and hotel has been underserved as well... With this kind of growth, a lot of companies will continue to grow to serve demand,” according to the report prepared by Pinnacle Director for Research and Consulting Jose Romarx Salas. According to estimates from Pinnacle Research, there are more than 20,000 deluxe hotel rooms in Metro Manila, with foreign brands gaining visibility across the city. “The Metro Manila landscape has been seeing more foreign brands like the recent opening of Conrad Hotel in the SM Mall of Asia complex as operated by the Hilton Group and The Okada Manila of the Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment, Inc.,” the report said. Read more

CREBA appeals plans to scrap VAT-exemption for housing
Manila Bulletin | May 24, 2017

The country’s largest umbrella association of real estate developers made an urgent appeal to Congress and the President’s economic managers to reconsider plans to remove the value-added tax exemption currently being given to socialized and economic housing as such would escalate the prices of housing units beyond the affordability level of the millions of homeless. In a recent briefing organized by the Chamber of Real Estate & Builders’ Associations, Inc. (CREBA) attended by major industry stakeholders including former Congressman Amado S. Bagatsing, the group made a thorough review of House Bill No. 4688 filed by Cong. Joey Salceda which envisions comprehensive “tax reforms for acceleration and inclusion.” According to Charlie A. V. Gorayeb, CREBA national president, government figures show that the majority of housing loan availments via Pag-IBIG Fund for the last decade remains somewhere at the P800,000 level. “Without VAT-exemption, buyers of this type of housing units would have to bear at least P96,000 additional cost, effectively putting low-income earners at risk of not being able to afford their monthly amortizations,” Gorayeb said. Read more

BPO growth to sustain amid US protectionism
The Freeman | May 25, 2017

Demand for office space by the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry is expected to continue to grow amid worries over the protectionist policy of US President Donald Trump, Pinnacle Real Estate Consulting Services said. In its market insight for the first quarter of 2017, Pinnacle said: "Ultimately, business decision to outsource service may be more efficient as compared to outsourcing manufacturing that may face additional tax backlash from the US Federal Government." "The consensus is that when US companies outsource the service component, Philippines remains to be on top of their list," the firm said. Pinnacle's market commentary comes at a time when the BPO sector in Cebu, currently the world's seventh most competitive, is on track on increasing its revenues and employment by 2020. At the recently held Transformation Summit in Cebu City attended by players in the IT-BPO industry, the Cebu Economic and Business Unit (CEBU) announced its goal to hit 200,000 workers employed in the industry in Cebu City by 2019 to 2020. It also aims to a monthly revenue of P20 billion by that time. Read more

NSJBI all set for topping-off ceremony of the first ever sports condo in the Ph
Business Mirror | May 26, 2017

Leading Filipino developer New San Jose Builders, Inc. (NSJBI) is pleased to announce the topping-off ceremony on May 25 of its newest and first of its kind project–the Victoria Sports Tower—the condominium sports complex in the heart of Quezon City. Victoria Sports Tower is a high-rise residential condominium situated right beside the GMA Kamuning MRT station along EDSA. Committed to providing Filipinos with affordable homes to call their own while enjoying the fast pace of urban life in Metro Manila, NSJBI through Victoria Sports Tower offers high-class residential units with convenient access to some of the city’s most popular spots as well as state-of-the-art sports facilities for the fitness-minded and indoor sports enthusiasts. Victoria Sports Tower has dedicated four entire floors to an upscale, state-of-the-art Sports Center. With a 50-meter indoor lap pool and a kiddie pool, six private gyms and complete wellness facilities, Victoria Sports is set to become the world’s largest indoor sports club in a residential setting. Read more

Making a greater impact
Philippine Daily Inquirer | May 27, 2017

The Community Mortgage Program (CMP) has been touted by many quarters as the most innovative and responsive government housing program in the Philippines today.
Under this program, long term mortgage loans for land purchase and housing development are granted to organized identified informal settler families (ISFs) through the state run Social Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC). Despite its relative success, the CMP however continues to be saddled with key challenges, and its reach remains limited, researchers from state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) said. In a research paper entitled “An Assessment of the Community Mortgage Program Implementation Strategy”, PIDS vice president Marife Ballesteros, research analyst Tatum Ramos, and former research specialist Jasmine Magtibay pointed out that the “program has not scaled up over the years and is currently at a standstill at the level of land acquisition.” “The expected benefits from land ownership, such as increase in housing investment, increase in municipal revenues, and growth of a dynamic land and housing market, have remained ambiguous. Some CMP communities have not improved their site services and have remained blighted,” the research paper claimed. Read more

Still no way but up for property sector
Business Mirror | May 28, 2017

There’s still no way but up for the property industry, as it continues its growth trajectory, along with all the macrofundamentals, pointing to the country’s strong economy, according to Pinnacle Real Estate Market Insight report for the first quarter of 2017. The study reveals that the office market is constantly bolstered by the business-process outsourcing (BPO) sector that keeps on taking up spaces, either for their expansion or new facility requirements, amid concerns over the protectionist policy of US President Donald J. Trump. “Ultimately, business decision to outsource service may be more efficient as compared to outsourcing manufacturing that may face additional tax backlash from the US federal government,” said Jojo Salas, director of research and consulting at Pinnacle Real Estate Consulting Services Inc. “The consensus is that when US companies outsource the service component, the Philippines remains to be on top of their list.” Read more

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.