‘Reinforcing pillars: Paving the road to recovery’

It’s common notion that the presence of a property developer in a certain locale signals either the economic progress of that community or at the very least, its potential for growth. Whether, it’s a new mall, restaurant, subdivision, residential condominium, office building, hotel or resort, any new structure built is often taken as proof of prosperity—potential or existing.

Such notion holds true in the Philippine setting, where real estate developers have been seen to bring further progress within the area where they operate, while attracting more investments in these communities and nearby locales, generating quality jobs and boosting other related industries at the same time. And as property developers go further outside Metro Manila, they are able to bring this growth and progress to more locations, even in the once remote, sleepy towns.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic and the community quarantine being imposed in many areas across the country have drastically halted that growth story, bringing many industries, including real estate to a standstill.

Now, close to three months since the enhanced community quarantine was imposed, companies are now looking to restart their operations, map out new strategies that will allow them to adapt to and operate in this new normal, as well as recoup losses. It’s an opportune time as well for the real estate industry to pick up where it left off, to continue that phenomenal growth story.

But given the massive blows dealt by the pandemic on the economy, how can the Philippine real estate industry move forward after this life-changing pandemic?

The Property Section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer will host today a webinar titled, “Reinforcing pillars: Paving the road to recovery,” featuring esteemed panelists who will share their insights and recommendations on how the industry can chart a better and more effective recovery plan that will allow it to adapt and evolve amid the pandemic.This webinar, the fifth to be hosted by the Property Section, is being done in collaboration with Inquirer.net, ICON Executive Search and Shoppertainment, and supported by Ortigas Land, Medicard and Colliers International Philippines.

Onboard this afternoon’s exciting discussion are three respected leaders namely, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario, who will be sharing his agency’s proposed 20-year housing and urban development strategic roadmap; Rosemarie Bosch Ong, reelected president of the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) and currently the SEVP-COO of Wilcon Depot, the country’s top destination for all home needs; and Cleofe Albiso, group general manager of Megaworld Hotels.

Moderating the discussions are Joey Roi Bondoc, senior manager for research at Colliers International Philippines, and Theresa Samaniego, Property Section editor.

You can watch this webinar live and for free on the Facebook page of Inquirer.net at 2 p.m. today, and you can join the discussions by sending your questions via the comments section.