The speakers at the launch of the 14th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards in Makati City on Wednesday (March 4, 2026), some of whom are experts in the Philippines’ property sector. The panelists discussed local property sector developments. (PNA photo by Joann Villanueva)
The Philippine government’s aggressive push to expand infrastructure spending is strengthening investor confidence in the country, industry leaders said, signaling renewed optimism for economic recovery and sustained growth in key sectors this year.
During a briefing at the 14th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards in Makati City on Wednesday, executives from major firms pointed to infrastructure development and supportive policies as critical drivers attracting both domestic and foreign investment.
Japan Balboa, vice president and head of corporate lease for Robinsons Offices, said the company remains optimistic about the future of the office property segment, particularly as the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) sector continues to expand.
“We remain bullish and confident,” Balboa said, noting that despite global uncertainties such as evolving U.S. policies and intensifying competition, the Philippines’ outsourcing industry continues to grow steadily.
He cited projections showing the IT-BPM workforce could reach around two million employees by the end of the year, a development expected to fuel strong demand for office spaces across major business districts.
Balboa added that evolving workplace strategies are also reshaping the office market. Some companies are now leasing spaces to accommodate seasonal operations, while others are turning to flexible workspaces as a way to test domestic expansion or adapt to changing operational needs.
According to him, flexible workspace arrangements are becoming an increasingly permanent feature in the outsourcing sector.
“We see that as a permanent demand of the market, but at the same time, it’s also complementary,” he said.
While the industry remains hopeful about hitting the two-million-employee target for the BPO sector this year, Balboa said companies must continue focusing on factors within their control.
“We will control the quality of our projects, take care of our clients, and continue to promote the Philippines as a viable destination,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jolan Formalejo, vice president for project delivery of Aboitiz Economic Estates, said the country is gaining traction as an investment hub due to policies designed to attract foreign businesses.
He highlighted the law allowing up to 99-year land leases for foreign investors as a major incentive that strengthens the Philippines’ competitiveness in the region.
“This is really encouraging regional players to come to the Philippines,” Formalejo said. “But on top of that, we take pride in the infrastructure we provide—not only within economic estates, but also in how the government is connecting these economic corridors.”
For Ambassador Chantal Wong, former U.S. executive director to the Asian Development Bank and founder of CW Consultants, the Philippines’ rising infrastructure spending is already reshaping the investment landscape.
She noted that the country has become the largest borrower among members of the Asian Development Bank in recent years largely due to its ambitious infrastructure agenda.
“Once these projects come online, particularly in the economic corridors, it will be a game changer,” Wong said. “It is going to open up huge investment opportunities across these corridors.”