Many workspaces now use hybrid setups, which have become the standard in today’s workforce. This model offers employees and companies the flexibility to adapt while maintaining productivity. By blending remote and in-office environments, the hybrid setup enables teams to work efficiently and achieve their goals without being confined to a single location.
International Workplace Group (IWG), the world’s largest provider of hybrid working solutions with brands such as Spaces and Regus, held a media briefing on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at World Spaces BGC. The event highlighted the current state of the Philippine workspace industry and IWG’s expanding presence in the country.
Lars Wittig, senior vice president for APAC North at IWG, discussed the company’s strategic vision and roadmap for 2025. He also elaborated the growing trend of hybrid workspaces in the Philippines and announced the launch of IWG’s latest Regus center in Mabalacat, Pampanga, 2025 in collaboration with Mabalacat Prime Land Realty and Development Corporation, set to open on January 27, 2025, at Skytech IT Park.
“This new center in Mabalacat underscores our commitment to supporting hybrid working in the Philippines. As the demand for flexible workspaces continues to rise, we are proud to provide businesses with cost-effective, scalable solutions that enable them to operate with enhanced flexibility and efficiency,” said Wittig.
A strategic hub in Central Luzon
Mabalacat City, a key gateway to Central Luzon, offers businesses a prime location for regional headquarters with easy access to major highways and terminals. The new Regus center will support regional growth and connectivity, providing businesses with flexible, efficient workspace solutions.
Katarina Sy, sales and finance director of Mabalacat Prime Land Realty and Development Corporation, shared that this project underscores a shared commitment to supporting growth in the city. “This partnership reflects our mutual commitment to driving growth and providing businesses with the support they need to succeed in Central Luzon’s dynamic landscape. Mabalacat is rapidly emerging as a key business destination, and we are excited to contribute to its growth through this collaboration with IWG.”
In addition, Mark Dixon, CEO and founder of IWG, covered how this latest opening in Mabalacat City strengthens IWG’s footprint in the Philippines, meeting the growing demand for flexible workspaces in a key business hub. “Our opening in Mabalacat comes at a time when more and more companies are discovering that flexible working boosts employee happiness and satisfaction, while helping the environment. Our workplace model is also proven to increase productivity and allows businesses to scale up or down at significantly reduced costs.”
The future of hybrid work
With the global flexible workspace market projected to reach USD 58.07 billion by 2037, IWG’s commitment to innovation helps businesses adapt to the evolving hybrid workforce. Hybrid models also enable companies to save an average of USD 11,000 per employee annually. The new center in Mabalacat is one of many projects aimed at helping Filipinos find jobs outside the city, further redefining modern business operations.
When asked about the key trends in hybrid work and flexible spaces dominating the Philippine market in 2025, Wittig stated that the focus will be on horizontal developments across the country. ”The key trend will be the geographic spread. We will see the network for flexible workspaces covering more and more provinces and municipalities. This means higher-value jobs will be brought to locations where they are currently absent. There will be less migration of talent from the provinces to larger cities as the creation of local community hubs brings benefits closer to home.”
IWG operates over 4,000 locations worldwide, with the Philippines standing out as a key market. In the country, the company runs 33 centers, including recent openings in Cagayan de Oro, Baguio, and Mandaluyong. New centers are set to open in Carmona, Cavite, Makati, and Lipa in Batangas in early 2025. By embracing flexible workspaces, businesses boost productivity, agility, and efficiency, staying close to their markets and ready for the future of work.
Looking ahead, Wittig sees even greater potential in the Philippines. “The list of new locations we're set to open is already quite long. But trust me, we’re still only scratching the surface. There isn’t a province we couldn’t be in today. This country, I believe, is at the beginning of a new golden era. There are hundreds of municipalities that don’t even have a bank branch—hundreds. That will change, and it will also transform workplaces. Eventually, you’ll see both a bank branch and an IWG center in those areas.”