WITH the growing congestion in Metro Manila, opportunities and economic activities are extending further south, said Shelia Lobien, CEO of Lobien Realty Group, during The Manila Times forum on “Catalyzing inclusive growth through strategic development.”

Follow the trucks: Why investors are looking south of Metro Manila

“The southern part has a lot of industrial logistics, manufacturing houses aside from big house and lot projects,” Lobien said, adding that this could be linked to high property prices in Metro Manila today compared to exclusive villages south of Metro Manila such as Alabang, Muntinlupa and Las Piñas.

Aside from affordability, Lobien cited the importance of connectivity and accessibility to and from the south. She said major infrastructure and transportation developments such as the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange landport and Light Rail Transit Line 1 Cavite Extension can help alleviate challenges of severe traffic congestion in Metro Manila, helping cut down travel time and giving commuters multiple options going to and from south of Metro Manila.

Lobien also said that the outsourcing industry is a significant driver of the office and residential markets as many companies move to provincial areas for cheaper rents.

Virgilio Velasco Jr., manager for Investment and Capital Markets at Santos Knight Frank Philippines Inc., also mentioned the stable economic growth in the south, specifically in Pasay at 6.8 percent, Parañaque at 8.7 percent, Las Piñas at 4.6 percent and Muntinlupa at 4.1 percent.

“For South Luzon areas like Cavite, we have an economic growth of 6.7 percent, with Laguna at 3.9 percent and Batangas area around 4.9 percent,” added Velasco, emphasizing the region’s potential for strategic real estate development.

In tapping opportunities in the south, Velasco stressed, “execution is part of success.”

Meanwhile, Ivyreene Calderon, Aurus Real Estate managing director, pointed to salary differentials and uneven employment opportunities — with Metro Manila offering higher wage rates — as key factors to consider in efforts to decongest the capital.

Lobien noted that if other cities and municipalities, particularly in the south and other regions, could offer competitive wages and job opportunities comparable to those in Metro Manila, they could play a larger role in easing congestion in central business districts.

Follow the trucks: Why investors are looking south of Metro Manila

She added that with the completion of major infrastructure projects, improved connectivity and better access to transportation, the country can move toward more sustainable and inclusive growth., This news data comes from:http://gyglfs.com

In embracing inclusive growth, Calderon also suggested developing more industrial hubs in the provinces.

“Most of our investors focus on the glitz and glam of the central business districts, but if you follow the rules of supply, if you follow the routes of the truck, you will know that growth is actually happening at the corridors of the south and the north. You will know that the growth is happening when you follow the routes of the transportation, where the trucks go, where the airports go, where the ports go. That’s where you can see for real what growth is all about,” Calderon said.

In addition, Toby Miranda, head of Investment and Capital Market at Santos Knight Frank, emphasized how accessibility and connectivity are crucial for investments, adding how these factors have been attracting developers and investors to invest in south of Metro Manila and in Southern Luzon.

“Of course, if you look at the pricing, it’s significantly more affordable to live in the south if it has that benefit,” said Miranda, explaining that today’s discerning customers and investors have been leaning toward or at least exploring options to live in a house than a condominium.