I was honored to be among the speakers at the recent Asian Forum on Enterprise for Society (AFES) 2025, hosted by my alma mater, the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), at the Makati Shangri‑La Hotel. Sharing the stage with fellow advocates of sustainability and green living was both humbling and inspiring. The conversations reminded me that architecture and enterprise must serve a higher purpose: building robust communities for a changing world.
The insights of keynote speakers Ban Ki‑moon, former United Nations Secretary General, and Ayala Corporation Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, both champions of climate action, underscored a key takeaway: sustainability is not a niche concern but a global imperative. When diplomacy and enterprise converge, the message is clear: the future belongs to those who act responsibly today.
In my previous column, I reflected on the devastation brought by Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan. Those storms were stark reminders of the climate instability that continues to challenge the Philippines. At AFES, the dialogue continued, with experts and practitioners exploring how enterprises can respond not only to disasters but to the deeper systemic shifts reshaping our environment.
The event’s theme, “Navigating Disruption: Enterprise Priorities for a Resilient Future,” captured the urgency of our times. Climate instability, fractured geopolitics, and the rapid advance of artificial intelligence (AI) are not abstract concepts. They are now realities shaping how we live, work, and build. For architects and developers, these disruptions demand innovation rooted in sustainability.
Resilience was framed not as passive endurance but as active transformation. It means designing buildings that conserve energy, communities that thrive in harmony with nature, and enterprises that prioritize long‑term progress over short‑term gains. This is the kind of resilience we must embrace in the Philippines.
The forum also highlighted the importance of partnerships. No single sector can solve these challenges alone. Governments, businesses, and communities must work together to chart practical pathways toward inclusive and sustainable growth. For Italpinas Development Corporation (IDC), this has always been our guiding principle: to collaborate with stakeholders in creating developments that add real value to society.
AFES 2025 came as the government’s economic team projected that the Philippines could reach upper middle‑income status by end of 2025 or in 2026, moving up from the current lower middle‑income category set by the World Bank. The Bank’s latest classification showed gross national income (GNI) per capita rose to $4,470 in 2024 from $4,320 in 2023, just shy of the $4,496 threshold for the upgrade.
The Department of Finance (DOF) emphasized that the government’s expansionary policies are geared toward sustained growth, employment, and poverty reduction. Investments in human capital and infrastructure, alongside efforts to keep inflation within target and reduce interest rates, are designed to support consumption and investment. Economists have added that if growth momentum continues and inflation remains manageable, the Philippines can achieve this milestone within the next one to two years.
For Italpinas, this trajectory is more than an economic statistic. It signals a transformation in how cities evolve, how people live, and how businesses choose where to grow. Years ago, when Atty. Jojo Leviste and I founded the company, we believed in the country’s long‑term potential. Today, that belief is being validated as incomes rise, financing becomes more accessible, and demand for sustainable housing grows.
This momentum opens incredible opportunities. Emerging cities are ready to expand, communities are eager for quality developments, and investors are looking for projects that combine profitability with purpose. Sustainable architecture is no longer a luxury but a necessity that aligns with both economic growth and environmental stewardship.
As we close the year, I am filled with optimism. The Philippines is at a turning point, poised for economic advancement yet challenged by climate disruption. Our task is to ensure that progress does not come at the expense of the environment. By building with passion and compassion, we can create cities that are greener, stronger, and more inspired than ever. To my readers, I extend my warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. May 2026 be a year of opportunity, sustainability, and shared prosperity for us all.
