Property Report attended the recently concluded Talakad: Central Luzon’s Economic Rise forum held on April 23, 2025, at the Clark Marriott Hotel. The event brought together thought leaders, government officials, and property sector stakeholders, all pointing to a shared conclusion: this once predominantly agricultural region is rapidly transforming into a formidable economic powerhouse.
Organized by Hann Resorts in partnership with Colliers Philippines, the event featured a comprehensive presentation by Joey Roi Bondoc, Director of Research for Colliers. Drawing from the firm’s latest research, Bondoc made a compelling case: Central Luzon is no longer on the sidelines—it’s now at the forefront of the country’s development agenda.
Accelerating growth through infrastructure and strategy
“Infrastructure developments that serve key areas outside of Metro Manila have been critical in stretching progress beyond the National Capital Region,” Bondoc emphasized. Nowhere is this more evident than in Central Luzon, which posted a 6.1% GDP growth in 2023—well above the national average of 5.5%. Construction activity in the region also rose by 7.3%, reflecting the growing demand for both public infrastructure and private sector-driven development.
Major infrastructure projects such as the North–South Commuter Railway, Manila–Clark Railway, MRT-7, and the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan are reshaping the region’s accessibility. Once fully operational, these initiatives will establish Central Luzon as a vital logistical and economic corridor linking Northern and Southern Luzon.
Representatives from Clark Development Corporation and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA)—namely Mr. Rodem R. Perez and Mr. Kenneth Peralta—affirmed how these connectivity improvements are encouraging more businesses to set up shop in the region.
“Pampanga is the pulsating heart of Central Luzon, a province ripe for more property development,” said Colliers Senior Director Julius Guevara. “The significant levels of public infrastructure investment in recent years, coupled with the Luzon Economic Corridor initiative, have created fertile ground for further growth. We’re already seeing this in the form of massive vertical and integrated community developments launched by both regional and national developers.”
That progress extends to provinces like Bulacan and Tarlac, where residential and lot-only developments are in steady demand. According to Colliers, average residential lot prices in Central Luzon have appreciated at a compound annual growth rate of 8.7% from 2016 to 2024—demonstrating sustained buyer confidence and long-term investment value.
A hotspot for investment and industry
Central Luzon’s real estate market is rapidly evolving in response to this infrastructure-led boom. From residential subdivisions and vertical villages to industrial parks and branded hotels, the transformation is sweeping. Colliers forecasts that nearly 1,000 hectares of new industrial space will enter the market between 2025 and 2027, with Pampanga, Bulacan, Bataan, and Tarlac attracting manufacturers in key industries such as semiconductors, electric vehicle batteries, and agro-industrial products.
The office sector is also gaining momentum, particularly in Clark. “We expect an average of 50,500 square meters of new office supply annually through 2027,” Bondoc shared. This trend is being driven by traditional firms and BPOs alike, seeking to decongest Metro Manila while tapping into Central Luzon’s young, educated workforce.
A lifestyle transformation underway
One of the event’s most compelling moments came from Ms. Agnes “Neki” Liwanag, Vice President for Real Estate and Property Development at Hann Philippines Inc. Speaking from both a professional and personal standpoint, she outlined how Central Luzon’s transformation mirrors the evolution of their company.
“Hann Philippines Inc. is a significant driver of economic growth in Central Luzon through its portfolio of luxury integrated lifestyle resorts,” she shared. “The established Hann Casino Resort in the Clark Freeport Zone generates considerable tourism revenue and employment. Meanwhile, the expansive Hann Reserve in New Clark City is set to amplify these benefits by drawing in high-value tourism and investment.”
Liwanag described Hann Reserve as a world-class development anchored on sustainability. The project will include PGA-accredited golf courses, luxury hotels, residential communities, and commercial areas—designed to position the region as a premier global destination.
This pivot to “bleisure” (business + leisure) is intentional. Rising domestic tourism spending, increasing hotel occupancy, and Central Luzon’s emergence as a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) hub all support this shift. In fact, Colliers reports that hotel occupancy rates in Clark have rebounded to 70–80% in 2024, a dramatic recovery from the pandemic lows of just 20–30%.
Ever rising region
Central Luzon is no longer just a pass-through region—it’s a destination in its own right. With the right mix of infrastructure, talent, and vision, it is fast becoming a model for regional growth in the Philippines. And as stakeholders continue to talakad—or witness the region’s ascent, what they see is not just potential, but real, sustained momentum that is already reshaping the nation’s future.
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