As the Philippines’ primary industrial hub, the Cavite-Laguna-Batangas (Calaba) corridor continues to attract new and expanding manufacturing locators. This hub’s attractiveness and competitiveness are being further enhanced by the government’s planned and upcoming big-ticket infrastructure projects in the region. These have also been enticing developers to build more integrated communities and standalone residential projects to cater to rising demand in the region.
What stands out for the Calaba corridor is the fact that while condominium projects continue to proliferate, horizontal demand remains robust, especially for Filipinos who are acquiring house-and-lot and lot-only projects for end-use. Colliers is, in fact, seeing greater demand for horizontal projects as Filipino investors and end-users continue to look for bigger and more open spaces. Its survey also showed that 74 percent of property buyers chose Laguna, Cavite or Batangas for their next horizontal unit investment.
Respondents noted that they prefer sustainable features for their next horizontal investment; easy access to essential goods and services; and integrated communities that exhibit the 15-minute city concept. As I highlighted previously, infrastructure projects have helped redefine and redirect developers’ expansion strategies. Key public projects, especially in prime destinations outside the capital region, have provided access to properties that can be redeveloped into massive integrated commu.