July 31, 2026
Balance Greater Metro Area (GMA) continues to have the highest loan share in the residential market, while Southern and Central Luzon maintain their leadership when it comes to the industrial market, specifically the warehouse market. Lobien Realty Group (LRG) presented these trends during its mid-year media briefing on July 9.
According to LRG's report, the share of granted loans given to Balance GMA in the first half of 2026 stands at 40 percent, making it the main driver of demand for the residential market — about 34 percent for residential houses and 6 percent for condominium units. This share is higher than the National Capital Region's (NCR) current 29 percent, down from its pre-pandemic share of 46 percent. One key reason for this lead is Balance GMA's price advantage: residential loans for houses are cheaper by 57 percent, and for condominiums by 32 percent, compared to NCR.
"The good deals [for residential properties] are still outside Metro Manila; one property is usually 60 percent lower compared to a property inside Metro Manila," said Sheila Lobien, LRG founder and CEO. "Many people are taking loans from banks to buy properties — mostly their own house and lot — outside Metro Manila." Meanwhile, demand within the NCR is being driven mainly by affordable and economic housing segments, with the most sellable condominium units still in the 30 to 80 square meter range. One factor LRG is closely monitoring is the impact of the ongoing Middle East crisis on OFW remittances, a major customer segment for the residential market — about 14 percent of total remittances come from Middle Eastern countries, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
On the industrial side, the report identified Central and Southern Luzon as the main growth areas for the Philippine warehousing market, currently valued at $441.7 million, with Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas continuing to attract strong occupier and developer interest, while Clark is emerging as the next major logistics hub given its strategic location and connectivity. LRG Associate Director Steph Ng attributed this growth to the ongoing boom in e-commerce, with Philippine e-commerce users projected to hit 17 million this year, alongside rising government infrastructure projects connecting Metro Manila to the North and South Luzon growth corridors that are expected to reduce trade costs and travel time.
Ng noted that Central Luzon's rise as an industrial hub is tied to developers betting on the development of Clark International Airport and its connectivity via SCTEx and NLEx, while Cavite and Laguna benefit from proximity to Metro Manila, access to CALAx, CAVITEx, and SLEx, and strong demand from retail and e-commerce occupiers. Batangas is growing due to its port and expanding manufacturing sector, while Bulacan holds strong potential tied to the New Manila International Airport, and Rizal is expected to serve as the primary gateway for Eastern Metro Manila distribution. Outside Luzon, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro are positioned to become the regional distribution centers for Visayas and Mindanao. Overall, the report forecasts the Philippine industrial market growing at a compound annual growth rate of 5.2 percent, reaching $706.8 million by 2034.
Read the full article here:
https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/07/28/business/real-estate-and-property/balance-gma-for-residential-loans-central-and-southern-luzon-for-warehouse/2391892
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Lobien Realty Group is the No. 1 Realty Property Provider in the Philippines. We provide office and commercial spaces, lots and properties for sale/lease in the cities of Makati, Taguig, Pasig, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Quezon, and Caloocan.