June 11, 2026
The Philippine IT-BPM industry is entering a new phase of growth—one that is increasingly being shaped by cities outside Metro Manila.
According to Sheila Lobien, Founder and CEO of Lobien Realty Group (LRG), the industry's expansion is no longer concentrated within the National Capital Region. Instead, companies are looking toward provincial locations that offer a combination of skilled talent, reliable infrastructure, strong local governance, peace and order, and robust digital connectivity.
Among the standout performers are Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro, which continue to attract major IT-BPM investments and office occupiers.
Cebu remains the country's leading provincial office market, benefiting from its large university population, highly skilled workforce, and expanding transportation infrastructure. As businesses look beyond traditional business districts, Cebu's growth is extending into emerging commercial areas, reinforcing its position as the premier IT-BPM hub in the Visayas.
Iloilo has also established itself as one of the country's most competitive outsourcing destinations. Strong local government support, quality educational institutions, and modern digital infrastructure have made the city highly attractive to investors seeking stable long-term growth opportunities.
Meanwhile, Bacolod continues to capitalize on its cost competitiveness and deep pool of English-proficient graduates. Combined with a favorable business environment and a strong track record in the outsourcing sector, the city has become a preferred location for multinational BPO operators.
In Mindanao, Davao remains the region's premier investment destination. Its consistent performance in competitiveness rankings, coupled with efficient governance and economic resilience, continues to strengthen investor confidence.
Looking ahead, Lobien also sees significant potential in emerging growth centers such as Clark, Cagayan de Oro, Lipa, and Baguio. These cities are benefiting from ongoing infrastructure investments, expanding talent pools, and increasing interest from companies seeking alternatives to Metro Manila's higher operating costs.
For the property sector, this decentralization trend creates new opportunities for office developments, mixed-use townships, and residential projects that support the growing workforce in these regional hubs.
More importantly, the shift reflects a broader transformation in the Philippine economy. As jobs, investments, and business activity spread across the country, provincial cities are becoming vital contributors to national growth, helping decongest Metro Manila while creating more opportunities closer to where people live.
The continued expansion of the IT-BPM industry into the regions demonstrates that the future of Philippine economic growth will not be defined by a single metropolitan center, but by a network of competitive and connected cities working together to drive progress.
Read the full article here:
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2026/06/09/cebu-bacolod-and-iloilo-drive-it-bpm-growth-outside-ncr/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSVwYNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR4MvzHmcpXlNDK4FNT_sd45uJ4aI-yxKxWSXNYRH2jUvlZP_fiY4C0jEYp2Ew_aem_sUjh_knOqHtnATEz8DXOFA
As of early 2026, Metro Manila’s residential condominium market continues to grapple with elevated vacancy levels, with around 24.7 percent of units remaining unoccupied. In simple terms, roughly one out of every four condo units across the metropolis is vacant.
Across the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas—now widely regarded as Southern Luzon’s emerging residential growth corridor—horizontal housing developments continue to expand rapidly despite lingering post-pandemic challenges and global economic uncertainties.
Despite the challenges currently facing the local real estate market, opportunities still exist for investors willing to look closely at the market landscape. According to Sheila Lobien, there will always be areas within the property sector that present potential despite the stage of the real estate cycle. In an interview with the BusinessMirror, she explained that some landlords, unable to cope with difficult economic conditions, are lowering rental rates, making quality commercial spaces more accessible to tenants and investors.
Southern Metro Manila and the South Luzon corridor have evolved into one of the Philippines’ most resilient residential investment markets.
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.