9th Property Matters: Shaping Spaces, Strengthening Sectors

The Philippine real estate industry is entering a period of major transformation. Once defined by rapid vertical growth and speculative urban development, the sector is now facing new realities: high vacancy rates, mounting affordability gaps, and a shift in demand towards greener, more inclusive spaces. In Metro Manila alone, office and residential vacancies are projected to reach 26% by end-2025, as companies downsize and workers opt for hybrid arrangements. In the residential space, over 1 in 4 properties built in the last five years remain unoccupied, pointing to a clear mismatch between what’s being developed and what the market needs. At the same time, the housing backlog is climbing fast, expected to hit 10.3 million by 2030, with an annual shortfall of more than 500,000 units (DHSUD, 2024).

Growth is accelerating in regional capitals like Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao, where demand for mid-market housing, logistics parks, and tech-enabled office spaces continues to rise. Across the country, developers are embracing sustainability as a long-term strategy—integrating solar energy systems, water-efficient technologies, and high-performance air filtration into residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects. Meanwhile, over 250 industrial parks and special economic zones (PEZA, 2024) are driving renewed investor confidence in manufacturing, logistics, renewable energy, and tourism-aligned developments. Emerging destinations like Dumaguete and Palawan are being positioned not only as retirement hubs but also as rising lifestyle and leisure centers, adding a new layer of opportunity for regional real estate growth.

With the theme “Shaping Spaces, Strengthening Sectors,” the 9th Property Matters will explore the evolving landscape of residential, office, industrial, and tourism-aligned real estate in the Philippines. As Metro Manila faces record-high vacancy rates and a growing housing backlog, regional centers like Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao are seeing rising demand for mid-market housing, logistics hubs, and mixed-use developments. Over 250 industrial parks and ecozones are driving investment in manufacturing, clean energy, and leisure infrastructure, while cities like Pasig and Quezon City are leading the shift toward people-centered, sustainable planning. 

This forum brings together government leaders, developers, and urban planners to address urgent challenges—ranging from affordability and overvaluation to red tape and decentralization—and unlock future-ready strategies for inclusive, resilient growth.