BACOLOD CITY — PHINMA Properties, the real estate arm of the Del Rosario-led PHINMA Group, is making a bold push into Bacolod’s fast-emerging property market with its first-ever township development — the 21-hectare Saludad. Anchored in a vision of community-driven growth and practical luxury, the project underscores PHINMA’s long-term commitment to the Visayas as it seeks to contribute to the region’s transformation.
At the heart of the township lies Maayo Terraces, a mid-rise residential enclave whose name reflects both place and purpose — maayo, the Visayan word for “good” or “well,” encapsulating the project’s guiding ethos. Officially launched on 26 April, Maayo Terraces broke ground in Brgy. Bata along the Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road, opening its experiential model unit to the public and revealing the design philosophy that ties it all together: architecture with soul, rooted in Filipino values and responsive to the rhythms of Bacolod life.
“Maayo Terraces is more than a residential project. It’s a community built with care and vision — a place where people can truly thrive,” said PHINMA Properties President and CEO Raphael Felix.
Designed by Royal Pineda+ Architecture • Design, the master plan reflects a deep reverence for Bacolod’s natural landscape and cultural identity. Over 60 percent of Maayo Terraces is dedicated to open space — a rarity in many urban developments. Lush gardens, walkways, courtyards and communal zones invite connection, while the orientation of buildings ensures optimal natural light and airflow. Units feature high ceilings, wide windows, and generous balconies — creating homes that breathe.
Everything comes together to create a lifestyle centered on wellness, connection, and harmony. Maayo Terraces captures the spirit of Bacolod’s evolving identity — a community built by those who understand Bacolodnons: their warmth, values and aspirations.
“Our goal was to create homes that feel open, familiar, and honest — where every material, every transition reflects who we are as Filipinos. We wanted people to feel cared for in the details, and proud in the bigger picture,” said Ar. Royal Pineda, principal architect and CEO of Royal Pineda+ Architecture • Design.
With prices starting at P5 million for studio units and reaching nearly P9 million for one-bedroom lofts, the development is geared toward Bacolod’s upwardly mobile market — young professionals, returning overseas Filipinos and growing families. PHINMA aims to redefine “functional luxury” by balancing aesthetic ambition with practical comfort.
“A space is just a space until somebody uses it,” said PHINMA vice president and chief housing officer Paolo Reyes. “Our design is really geared toward livability, wellness and functionality.”
The first of 11 planned residential towers — offering around 128 units — is set to begin construction in the fourth quarter of 2025, with turnover expected by the end of 2027. PHINMA projects P600 million in reservation sales for the tower and plans to launch a new one each year. At full buildout, Maayo Terraces will offer nearly 3,000 residential units.
Beyond housing, Saludad Township is envisioned as a self-sustaining mixed-use community. The township will integrate residential clusters with commercial lots, educational institutions, hospitality facilities, and retail hubs. Key features in the pipeline include a Tryp Hotel and a branch of Southwestern University — its first outside of Cebu — both scheduled to begin construction within the year, pending final permits.
A joint venture with Bacolod-based JEPP Property Corporation — composed of the Jacinto, Echaus and Puentevella families — Saludad seeks to catalyze inclusive growth and economic activity. Its strategic location, just minutes from the Bacolod-Silay Airport and near major infrastructure projects like the Bacolod Economic Highway and the proposed Panay-Guimaras-Negros Inter-Island Link Bridge, positions it at the forefront of Bacolod’s next phase of development.
According to Felix, Bacolod’s economy is among the fastest growing in the Philippines. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) shows a 10 percent growth rate in 2023 — nearly double the national average.
“We wanted to go to an area that is developing fast. Rather than enter a mature market, we prefer to ride the crest of development,” Felix said. “Bacolod is emerging as the fifth major city in the Philippines.”
This calculated move mirrors PHINMA’s earlier strategy in Cebu, where it launched its first residential development in 2017 and is now expanding with a second project. Felix confirmed that Cebu and Bacolod are key focal points in PHINMA’s 10- to 15-year expansion plan for the Visayas.
“We’re here for the long haul,” he added. “Saludad is our statement of commitment to the region.”
While PHINMA has not finalized other township sites, Reyes noted that similar projects are being explored across the country. The company remains discerning in choosing partners, stressing that successful townships are less about scale and more about shared values.
“It’s easy to build structures,” Felix emphasized. “What’s harder is creating places where people thrive. That’s where the real success lies — beyond the numbers.”
As Bacolod grows, so too does the demand for thoughtfully designed, future-ready communities. With Maayo Terraces and Saludad Township, PHINMA Properties is betting on a future where modern Filipino living is not just aspirational, but deeply attainable — and proudly rooted in place.