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.

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.

According to Lobien Realty Group (LRG), the Philippine real estate market is no longer simply recovering—it is entering a phase of strategic recalibration. In its Real Estate Outlook 2026: The Next Growth Frontiers, LRG highlights a clear shift away from the traditional focus on prime Metro Manila locations toward areas that offer better connectivity and long-term investment potential, particularly in provincial regions.

As we enter 2026, the Philippine real estate sector is no longer in recovery mode—it is undergoing a strategic recalibration. With the economy projected to grow within the 5.5 to six percent range, property decisions today are less about prime addresses and more about connectivity, sustainability, and long-term yield resilience.

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Commercial leasing today goes beyond simply filling office spaces; it has become a strategic response to evolving market dynamics and occupier needs. Demand is shifting across office, retail, and mixed-use developments, driven by hybrid work trends, e-commerce growth, and changing consumer behavior.

Sheila Lobien, CEO of Lobien Realty Group, Inc., was featured in “The Next Growth Frontiers: Real Estate Outlook 2026,” a special property segment by Manila Bulletin Property and Living that discusses emerging trends and opportunities in the Philippine real estate sector.

In the feature, she shared that “today’s property decisions are becoming less about prime address and more about connectivity, sustainability, and long-term resilience.”

A proud and momentous milestone for Lobien Realty Group was marked in the December 6, 2025 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer: Property, as two of the firm’s leaders were prominently featured for their expertise and forward-looking perspectives on the Philippine real estate market.