Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) is accelerating capital deployment at its 320-hectare Lio Estate in El Nido, Palawan, aiming to capture surging demand for extended stays, second homes, and experiential island living.

In a statement, ALI said the company is directing its latest round of investments toward critical infrastructure and community enhancements.

The upgrades are designed to improve connectivity, optimize internal traffic circulation, and support a more diverse mix of tourists, residents, entrepreneurs, and creative enterprises in the master-planned development.

The next phase of Lio focuses on strengthening how the estate functions as a connected, lived-in destination, according to Cris Zuluaga, head of the Ayala Land Leisure Estates Group.

Zuluaga noted that these investments are meant to reinforce the relationship between nature, community, and commercial enterprise within a single integrated framework.

Among the planned developments are a centralized transport terminal and an events pavilion aimed at boosting mobility and enabling year-round cultural programming. ALI will also construct a dedicated visitor's center to showcase the estate’s sustainability initiatives and long-term development narrative.

Further infrastructure upgrades include a 3.7-kilometer waterfront boardwalk connecting key nodes in the property, alongside an expanded network of pedestrian pathways linking Lio Airport directly to commercial, hospitality, and beachfront zones. The company is also repositioning the Lio Jetty into a leisure hub with enhanced public access and panoramic views of El Nido Bay.

From its inception, Lio Estate was designed with an emphasis on environmental sustainability. More than half of the total land area is permanently allocated to open spaces and ecological systems, including mangroves, wetlands, forests, and biodiversity corridors. These natural features support environmental resilience while anchoring the estate’s long-term real estate value.

Over the years, the development has attracted a growing community of permanent residents, hospitality operators, and independent business owners who feed into its localized economic ecosystem.

Paloma Urquijo Zobel de Ayala, creative director at Ayala Land, said Lio naturally attracts individuals who want to engage deeply with their surroundings through business, creativity, or community life.

She added that the connection between nature, culture, and everyday life will continue to shape the estate's evolution. Zobel de Ayala also independently operates Kalye Artisano and Bahay Artisano, two retail and cultural spaces within Lio that showcase local craftsmanship and creative entrepreneurship.

At the core of this new development phase is Sitio Aplaya, a 16.3-hectare mixed-use district designed to deepen residential, retail, and hospitality offerings within a walkable environment. Positioned near Lio Beach and the estate's commercial center, Sitio Aplaya is being marketed as a primary vehicle for long-term investment in El Nido’s growth.

Concurrently, ALI has unveiled the redevelopment of Lagen Island in Palawan’s Bacuit Bay. Following an extensive transformation, the private island retreat now operates as a 42-key eco-sanctuary. Styled around a concept of quiet luxury rooted in local heritage, the resort offers a mix of forest rooms and water villas designed to blend contemporary architecture with the island's natural environment. (James A. Loyola)