For decades, Metro Manila was the undisputed centre of gravity—for jobs, for business, for growth. If you wanted to make it, you went to the capital. That narrative held true for generations. But today, a different story is unfolding—one that’s being written outside the metro, in places long overlooked but full of potential.

Industrial estates have historically been viewed as zones of work—spaces built for output, not for people. They served a purpose: offer land, utilities, and logistics to manufacturers and exporters. You went in, clocked out, and endured the long commute home. Functional, yes—but hardly liveable.

That model no longer works. Today’s workforce is looking for more than employment. They want better quality of life, reduced time in transit, and communities where their families can flourish. Businesses, too, are making decisions based not only on infrastructure and cost—but on talent attraction, employee well-being, and quality of place.

At Aboitiz InfraCapital, we’ve taken this shift to heart. Through LIMA Estate in Batangas, we’re reimagining what industrial development can be. We see it not as a standalone zone—but as an integrated city within a city. A place where industry, lifestyle, and community come together to support growth in every dimension.

From Work Zones to Living Districts

It’s no longer enough to provide industrial land and utilities. What’s needed now is a complete ecosystem—where work, home, learning, leisure, and mobility are seamlessly connected.

This philosophy drives our approach across Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates. At LIMA, it comes to life through the Biz Hub, our central business district that grew from our locators’ needs and now serves as the commercial and social heart of the estate. Office towers, retail centers, parks, restaurants, and event spaces form a dynamic, people-centric environment. It’s proof that when we plan around people, business follows.

Why Residential Matters

A vital piece of this ecosystem is housing. Through our sister company, AboitizLand, we thoughtfully integrate residential developments in and around our estates. When people live closer to where they work, they gain back time for what matters—family, health, learning, rest.

In LIMA, we introduced The Pods—affordable, walkable homes for workers and young professionals. Nearby AboitizLand communities provide options for families and long-term residents, with access to schools, healthcare, shops, and open spaces. It’s not about building subdivisions; it’s about enabling communities rooted in opportunity.

The Shift Is Already Happening

Over the past decade, more than 1.5 million people have moved out of Metro Manila—many heading to CALABARZON and Central Luzon in search of breathing room and better living. This isn’t a temporary trend. It reflects deeper changes in expectations.

Batangas is quickly emerging as more than a work destination. It’s becoming a place to raise families, pursue careers, and enjoy a better pace of life. Businesses are responding. Recruitment becomes easier when your workplace is close to housing. Retention improves when employees don’t have to lose hours in traffic. When people feel they belong, they give more.

A Complete Ecosystem, Not Just a Location

At LIMA, we’ve built with intention. Our integrated infrastructure—from power and water to mobility through Red Link Hub—supports the daily needs of over 75,000 employees and residents. Commercial areas like The Outlets at LIMA and Aboitiz Pitch aren’t just for business—they’re weekend destinations, social centers, and community hubs.

Every phase of our masterplan includes residential integration. That connectivity isn’t just convenient—it’s transformative. It creates places where people choose to stay, not just work.

Building Outside the Capital, On Purpose

Growth doesn’t need to orbit Metro Manila. In fact, it shouldn’t. Congestion, rising costs, and urban sprawl make that model unsustainable. The country needs new centers of gravity—and we must design them with foresight and purpose.

LIMA Estate has generated over 75,000 jobs and attracted more than $2.5 billion in investments over the past 30 years. It is now home to manufacturers, IT-BPM firms, retailers, and service providers—all coexisting in a space that values both productivity and livability.

By anchoring growth in places like Batangas and surrounding it with housing, lifestyle, and infrastructure, we’re not only building strong estates—we’re helping shape more balanced, resilient regions.

A Model for What’s Next

Industries are evolving, and so are the people who power them. Infrastructure and connectivity remain crucial—but it’s integration that sets the future apart. The most successful developments will be those that connect life and work, seamlessly.

At Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates, this is our commitment: to create industrial developments that are not just efficient, but livable; not just functional, but inclusive. Places where people thrive and businesses grow together.

This is not a vision for someday—it’s already in motion. And it’s being built by a team that believes in the power of design, collaboration, and purpose.

Because when people choose to stay, businesses choose to grow.

So if your idea of opportunity still begins and ends in Metro Manila, it may be time to look again. The next generation of growth is already taking root—where industry and community co-exist, by design.