Empire East remains bullish on mid-market housing 

Empire East Land Holdings Inc., the middle-income housing unit of Megaworld Corporation, is cautiously optimistic this year despite the oversupply of condominium units for its target market, according to a report by Manila Bulletin.

“Macro indicators show stability and the 2025 midterm elections for higher spending and infrastructure momentum,” said Empire East President and CEO Charlemagne Yu during the firm’s annual stockholders’ meeting.

He noted that, “while interest rates remain elevated in the short term, the demand for housing, especially the mid-market segment, remains very strong…

“With a %u20B125 billion capex pipeline over the next five years and a 426-hectare land bank, we are well positioned to lead sustainable growth while offering high value products in strategic locations.”

Yu pointed out that “The oversupply perception doesn't fully apply to end-user-driven developers like Empire East. Our focus is not on speculative, high turnover units, but on essential housing for working Filipinos and young families, a segment with sustained demand.

“While some pockets of oversupply exist, especially in investor-heavy and investor-dependent areas, the broader housing backlog and urban migration trends continue to drive strong need for well-located. affordable homes and, as part of the Megaworld group, Empire East would benefit from group level strategy, while maintaining our unique market niche: building for where real demand exists.”

Meanwhile, Yu said the company is continuously monitoring developments in issue on US tariffs since it might have an impact on supply chains, the cost of construction materials, and overall investor sentiment.

“If global uncertainty intensifies, investor confidence may temporarily soften. However, the Philippines remains an attractive alternative for supply chain diversification in Southeast Asia, which could spur more BPO (business process outsourcing) expansion and local demand for housing.

“We continuously monitor these developments and calibrate our procurement strategies to protect project margins and maintain our competitive pricing,” he said.