Federal Land Inc. Chairman Alfred Ty remains optimistic about the Philippine property market, saying developers are positioned to weather the current downturn as the sector works through elevated inventory and prepares for a gradual recovery.
Ty said the correction could take time, but major developers have the financial and operational flexibility to navigate weaker conditions by relying on different segments, including retail and office projects.
“The industry is very strong and resilient. The developers are very strong,” Ty said.
“There’s a downturn, but it looks like everyone can withstand it. They just focus on another part of the business. They go to retail, they go to office,” he added.
Despite the softer market, Federal Land is already planning its next wave of developments, with its land bank allowing the company to calibrate the timing and pace of project launches.
Ty said his longer-term outlook is supported by the Philippines’ demographics, particularly its growing and relatively young population, which he sees as a source of sustained housing and property demand.
“Oh, I’m very hopeful. The people—we still have a growing population, we have a young population, we have a lot of potential,” he said.
“There will be a gradual uptrend, we hope,” Ty added.
Among Federal Land’s potential growth areas is Cavite, where the company is looking at a township combining horizontal residential projects with mid-rise buildings. High-rise developments could eventually be added as the market supports further expansion.
The group is also looking at opportunities in Cebu and plans to deepen its Japan-inspired developments and partnerships.
“We spend a lot of hours these days planning for future developments,” Ty said.
For Federal Land, the strategy reflects a willingness to prepare ahead of a recovery rather than wait for market conditions to fully improve before planning its next projects.
Ty said there are “a lot of ways to come back and revive the market,” with the eventual restart likely to be gradual rather than abrupt.
