Danie Laurel, Richard Raymundo, Iluminada Sicat, Noel Rapadas, Torre Lorenzo

Lamudi successfully held The Outlook Real Estate Conference 2019 at the Isabela Ballroom of Makati Shangri-La in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines on October 17, 2019. The event brought together industry thought leaders from all over the Philippines to talk about the hot topics in the country’s real estate sector.

The Outlook Conference had five tracks. Cignal TV’s news anchor Danie Laurel moderated the final track titled “Changing Face: Uncovering Alternative Ways to Invest in Real Estate,” which zeroed in on the drivers of investor demand, the new investment opportunities available in the market and how the market can tap into these to encourage a robust real estate economy.

Laurel asked about the viability and sustainability of POGO as an investment. Diversifying is a smart way to invest, as recommended by panelists Colliers managing director Richard Raymundo, Leechiu Property Consultants Inc. associate director Mikko Barranda, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas assistant governor Iluminada Sicat and Torre Lorenzo senior vice president and chief finance officer Noel Rapadas.

Sicat presented an interesting fact that will help guide investors in diversifying their portfolio. She said, “We did an assessment of the impact of POGOs on the price of our residences.”

“There was a sudden increase in the price of rent,” Sicat continued. “But if you look at the net contribution of POGOs, it’s not that big actually.”

Also, Raymundo noted that if POGOs did not come, “the rents would have corrected anyway.” Rapadas mentioned that there is still a long way to go for these kinds of investments to be sustainable.

Rapadas urged investors to look at what drives prices up, and suggested following a fixed plan to see growth. Despite the increase in the prices of real estate, the Philippines is still relatively cheap compared to other places for investment in Asia, he said.

Co-presented by Philippine Daily Inquirer Property and Holcim Philippines, The Outlook: Philippine Real Estate Conference 2019 provided an avenue for insightful discussion spanning a wide range of topics from sustainability to alternative ways of investing in real estate. The major sponsors were the International Workplace Group and SMDC and the official TV partner was Cignal TV.

Moreover, the conference teamed up with event partner SHDA and media partners Philippine Daily Inquirer Property, Business Mirror, Business World, Malaya Business Insight, Manila Standard and the Philippine Star. The event leads up to Lamudi’s Outlook Awards: The Philippine Buyers’ Choice Property Awards scheduled on November 14, 2019 at the Makati Shangri-La where property developers from all over the Philippines gather to celebrate the outstanding achievements that shaped the country and steered it to a greener future.

The winners of the awards are determined by a panel of judges and a survey involving 10,000 active property seekers. To know more about The Outlook Awards 2019, head to lamudi.com.ph/outlook2019.