A few weeks ago, I attended an event where a prominent developer unveiled its ambitious plan for the next five to 10 years, with a focus on creating massive townships located in Cavite and Laguna. Additionally, another major developer has set its sights on a township in Pampanga, projected to surpass the combined scale of BGC, Ortigas CBD, and Makati CBD.
The emergence of such township developments is indeed welcome news. These vast projects bring about numerous benefits, including the creation of thousands of job opportunities for the locals, revitalizing the local economy, and reshaping (and uplifting) the way people live, work, play, and even study. For instance, a well-planned township in the province with world-class schools can encourage locals to study there, instead of commuting to Metro Manila and contributing to the traffic congestion.
Effective planning is the cornerstone of successful townships. Developers must learn from both past practices and best practices in township planning. A sustainable township should integrate pedestrian-friendly spaces, cycling lanes, and areas for future growth and economic activities. Gone are the days of monotonous, dull, and gray concrete jungles; townships must now prioritize open spaces and accessibility to address the lessons learned from the pandemic.
A good piece of news is that township developments are not confined to Luzon alone; Visayas and Mindanao are also experiencing the positive impact of visionary developers who are crafting the next generation of townships.
For example, I learned that the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), a state-owned bank, has granted an initial P1.106-billion funding support to a Capiz-based real estate developer, paving the way for the expansion and enhancement of their master-planned development venture in Western Visayas.
DBP president and CEO Michael O. de Jesus emphasized that this credit assistance to Pueblo de Panay, Inc. (PDPI) will “finance the construction and improvement of various projects within the 670-hectare mixed-used township development in Roxas City, which is touted to be the first and largest of its kind in the region.”
“Through this partnership, DBP aims to hasten progress in the housing sector, stimulate job creation, and foster economic growth in one of the fastest-growing cities in the Philippines,” de Jesus said. “This partnership further reflects DBP and PDPI’s shared vision of driving progress and building vibrant and sustainable communities throughout the country.”
Photo shows the public launching of the Pueblo de Panay BPO Building II; from left: DBP president and CEO Michael O. de Jesus (7th from left), together with (6th and 5th from left) Roxas City Mayor Ronnie Dadivas and Roxas City Vice Mayor Teresita Almalbis. They were joined by, from left: DBP FVP Rosemarie Callanta, DBP VP Marissa P. Aniño, PDPI consultant Geocel Olanday, PDPI CFO Corazon Cruz, PDPI president and CEO Jose Nery D. Ong, PDPI director Mary Daphnie D. Ong, PDPI director Victoria O. Banzon, Partner-Reyes Tacandong and Co. Joseph Bilangbilin, DBP SAVP Jessica Juanico, and DBP AVP Gina Taay.
I’m very much familiar with PDPI as I wrote about them in our Property Living section a few months back. And I was very impressed with its Roxas project, and now delighted to know that they have the support of DBP, which is the eighth largest bank in the country in terms of assets. I’m sure that DBP’s decision to support the PDPI will bode well not only for the developer, but more so for the province and the region of West Visayas, as well.
PDPI, led by businessman Jose Nery “Bub” Ong, has more than three decades of experience in real estate and property development and a proven track record in building real estate products that cater to all market segments. Its latest project features a seamless integration of residential, commercial, medical, educational, and light-agro-industrial zones, making it a viable investment destination.
De Jesus said DBP previously funded the construction of fully-sold out four and five-story condo buildings within Pueblo de Panay township, which is an integral part of the bank’s intensified efforts to broaden support to social services and community development under its flagship “Building Affordable Homes Accessible to Every Filipino” or BAHAY program.
He noted that the bank’s financing assistance to PDPI now includes the construction of a seven-story BPO facility and a six-story condo building — the third of its kind in the township and Northern Panay — both expected to reinforce Roxas City’s position as the leading hub for sustainable growth and development in the region.
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This marks the final edition of Property Living on a Saturday as we transition to publishing on SUNDAYS starting Aug. 6, 2023. The "refurbished" PROPERTY LIVING section will feature more homes, properties, landmarks, and the personalities behind these projects. We will also have features on interior design, furniture, fixtures, home appliances, and much more. Look out for these enriching contents on our Sunday page, our Manila Bulletin website, our Property Living Facebook page, and TikTok page.
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