The competition for business and talent is increasingly extending beyond Metro Manila’s traditional commercial centers, as companies reassess where they can access workers, support operations and provide a better environment for employees.

Filinvest City in Alabang illustrates the growing appeal of Metro South, with its location providing businesses access to talent across both Metro Manila and Southern Luzon.

The 244-hectare master-planned business district is connected to major transport routes, including the South Luzon Expressway, Skyway System and Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway. A future railway system is also expected to further improve regional connectivity.

These links give companies access to potential workers from Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Cavite, Laguna and Batangas, broadening their recruitment base beyond a single labor market.

Filinvest City’s Northgate Cyberzone, a PEZA-accredited business district, has also become a hub for companies seeking access to the expanding workforce in Metro Manila and the South.

The shift comes as hybrid work changes employee expectations and companies place greater emphasis on accessibility and the overall ecosystem surrounding their offices.

Filinvest City combines offices with residential areas, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, retail establishments, hospitality venues, parks and other public spaces within its 244-hectare development.

The district’s development has also been accompanied by rising land values and continued commercial activity.

According to the company, land values in Filinvest City increased by 346 percent over the past decade, equivalent to a 17-percent compounded annual growth rate. Commercial land that traded at about P50,000 per square meter in 2010 now commands prices approaching P500,000 per square meter.

The district has approximately 1.9 million square meters of gross floor area delivered and an estimated daily foot traffic of 220,000 people. Major locators include PLDT, SONAK and Pepsi.

Filinvest City is also the first and only central business district in the Philippines with both LEED and BERDE district certifications, according to the company. It recently received gold in the Master Plan category of the 2026 FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence Awards, making it the first Philippine township to receive the distinction.

The development has limited commercial lots remaining for businesses and investors, according to the company.

For businesses, the changing role of location goes beyond the address itself. Access to workers, transportation, services and amenities is increasingly becoming part of the decision on where companies establish or expand their operations.