Top executives of the country’s biggest group of real estate builders have likened Pampanga to Metro Manila, recognizing it as the “boom town” in Central and Northern Luzon region, owing to the progress in the landlocked province.
“Boom province ang Pampanga. It is right at the center of everything. Pampanga is really at the cusp of being the leader in terms of suburban provinces outside of Metro Manila. I wouldn’t be surprised if it is classified as the next Metro Manila already,” said Noel “Tuti” Carino, national president of Chamber of Real Estate Builders’ Associations (CREBA).
He made the remarks in a press conference as sidelights to the ongoing CREBA national convention and 51st anniversary at Hilton Clark inside Clark Freeport.
Carino cited the ongoing massive infrastructure build-up and mass transport that are being put in place in the province. Pampanga is also host to Clark International Airport, which was recently recognized as one of the most beautiful airports in the world.
Within Pampanga, Carino also pointed at the role of Pampanga in land development and housing.
“Inside Pampanga, I still think it is still San Fernando and Angeles City and the western side (of the province) as as another corridor of progress,” Carino added.
For her part, Carla Espinosa, president of CREBA Pampanga Chapter, noted of the presence of big names in the real estate development and housing industry.
“Most of the big players are here especially at the heart of San Fernando. As soon as you enter the city, one would be surprised of the property (development),” Espinosa said.
She mentioned housing, condominium and other land development projects like Azur, Century Properties, SMDC, Megaworld township (Capital Town) and Lakeshore—all in San Fernando area as well as real property development being pursued by Ayala Corporation in Angeles City and Porac town in Pampanga.
For his part, Atty. Ryan Tan, chief executive officer of Hauslands, said that collaboration with government is key to major land and property development projects.
“The true enabler of development are government policies. If they are welcoming then you will see the private sector growing,” Tan said.
Tan also said that the competition for development project market “brings out the best in competitors”.
“We help each other collaborate as one private sector, led especially by CREBA,” said Tan.
Hausland is widely acknowledged as one of the leaders and biggest housing development companies in Pampanga and Central Luzon for low- to middle- income earners.
CREBA’s national convention in Clark brings together 400 delegates from all over the country. They were welcomed by CREBA Pampanga Chapter Chairman Marilou Garbes.
It is one of the most significant gatherings of real estate developers, builders, and industry stakeholders in the country, aimed at discussing critical issues affecting the real estate sector and building stronger partnerships for the nation’s growth.
