Ayala gears up subsidiary POPI for logistics, industrial sectors

Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) is strengthening the position of subsidiary Prime Orion Philippines, Inc. not only in retail, but in the real estate logistics and industrial sector as well.

POPI recently acquired from ALI a majority stake in Laguna Technopark, Inc. (LTI), a prime developer of real estate logistics and industrial parks in the Philippines.

LTI manages the 460-hectare Laguna Technopark in Santa Rosa and Biñan and 135-hectare Cavite Technopark in the municipality of Naic.

“With the Philippines continuously attracting more foreign and local investments in the manufacturing sector, and with LTI’s parks serving as the preferred location for global firms, we plan to expand our parks in the CALABARZON region, and to develop a strong presence in the Central Luzon and VisMin regions as well,” said POPI President Rowena Tomeldan.

To boost its logistics business, POPI maximized the value of its 14-hectare Lepanto property in Calamba, Laguna by shifting Lepanto Ceramics’ focus from tile manufacturing to real estate warehouse operations.

The company upgraded the common areas of its Lepanto Industrial Complex, initiated a phased rehabilitation program, and converted formerly non-leasable areas into leasable spaces.

Meanwhile, POPI’s Tutuban retail complex remains the symbol of POPI’s transformation. POPI recently completed the refurbishment of the Tutuban railway station building into a model for adaptive reuse of a built heritage site.

The redevelopment of Tutuban Center will also allow it to capitalize on the North-South Railway Project of the Philippine National Railways.

Tutuban will be at the center of the North Line, South Line and LRT2 West rail projects, presenting the group with a unique opportunity to transform Tutuban into an integrated mixed-use development with retail, logistics, offices and other support services.

This is in line with parent Ayala Land’s commitment to develop sustainable mixed-use estates across the country that are centers of growth, connectivity and sustainability.

“In a short span of time, Prime Orion Philippines has transitioned into a highly diversified company with a balanced portfolio focused on real estate logistics, mall operations and industrial development. We will continue to be driven by a cohesive strategy and an efficient structure as we make great strides toward becoming a stronger and more sustainable company,” Tomeldan added.