May 23, 2025
CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga — Amid global and domestic uncertainties, the Philippine economy remains set for continued growth given favorable demographics such as its young, English-speaking population, the head of a real estate consultancy said.
Speaking at a Manila Times forum at the Clark Marriott Hotel, Lobien Realty Group CEO Sheila Lobien said that young entrepreneurs would help sustain economic growth.
She described the Philippines as "firmly on the world stage," with growth expected to average 6 percent annually over the next three years — among the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia.
"When a market is growing beyond 5 percent, it opens up massive opportunities," Lobien said as she noted that the country had shown swift recovery from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Overseas Filipino worker remittances, in particular, were said to have reached an all-time high of $38 billion, fueling demand in residential real estate. Business process outsourcing firms also continue to thrive, offering competitive careers domestically that once required overseas work.
While Metro Manila's office market continues to adjust to post-pandemic changes, particularly by high vacancy rates following the forced exit of Philippine offshore gaming operators, Lobien said that there were excellent deals available in prime locations.
"Office occupancy is currently at 20 percent, four times higher than pre-pandemic vacancy rates. But that's also a huge opportunity for tenants to renegotiate leases or relocate to better spaces," she added.
"Pampanga is now third in terms of office space availability outside Metro Manila," Lobien said. "Its proximity to the capital — just two hours away — is a game changer. It's even easier to get to Clark than Quezon City if you're coming from the south."
Clark and San Fernando were particularly noted as upcoming centers for digital innovation and outsourcing. "San Fernando is a designated digital city. Companies are looking to provinces like this for expansion, especially with rent sometimes half of what you'd pay in Metro Manila," Lobien added.
Lobien also emphasized that in investing in real estate, location is not just the primary thing to consider.
"You want to invest during the recovery phase," she advised. "Prices are relatively low, and there's huge upside potential. Buy something you'd be happy to hold even if the market shuts down for 10 years."
Read article: https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/05/23/business/top-business/ph-firmly-on-the-world-stage/2119445
“Although we see many women in real estate—mostly in sales, marketing, and consultancy—only a few reach the highest levels of management. While leadership traits like merit, performance, logic, and strategic thinking are common to both men and women, I believe women often bring a more inclusive and caring leadership style. Women leaders tend to be more attuned to their team’s well-being. During the pandemic, for instance, many women leaders didn’t hesitate to check in on their teams with personal messages—something that may feel awkward for some male counterparts.
There is a paradox in the National Capital Region’s condominium market at the moment.
While it is true that there is an oversupply of condominium inventory, we are not seeing developer-initiated significant price reductions to push these inventories out of the market.
THE business process outsourcing industry (BPO) will remain a key driver of Philippine economic growth despite US protectionism, the head of a real estate consultancy said, with projected workforce expansions expected to boost demand for office space.
Speaking at Manila Times economic forum on Thursday, Lobien Realty CEO Sheila Lobien projected that 160,000 new employees would join the BPO workforce this year, requiring companies to add an estimate 480,000 square meters of office space.
[Amy Remo - Writing Editor, Property Section at Philippine Daily Inquirer] Cautious recovery, innovation, and resilience are expected to define the Philippine real estate landscape in 2025.
Developers are seen to continue recalibrating to meet shifting demands with suburban townships and sustainable horizontal developments, while unsold Metro Manila condominium inventories will likely temper new launches. The industrial and logistics sectors, buoyed by the e-commerce boom and decentralization, is seen to maintain their resilience.
Lobien Realty Group is the No. 1 Realty Property Provider in the Philippines. We provide office and commercial spaces, lots and properties for sale/lease in the cities of Makati, Taguig, Pasig, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Quezon, and Caloocan.