Sta. Lucia Land banks on growth in Philippine countryside

The company is developing 110 projects nationwide, from convenience stores to malls.

Sta. Lucia Land, Inc. is fast-tracking its expansion to high-growth provincial markets across the Philippines as part of a broader strategy to tap into emerging economic hubs outside Metro Manila.

The property developer is targeting regions like Central Luzon, Cebu, and Davao for residential, commercial and retail projects, Jeremiah “Jem” Pampolina, chief sustainability officer and vice president for investor relations at Sta. Lucia, told the recent Retail Asia Summit 2025 in Manila.  

“We are a countryside real estate developer of emerging cities in the provinces,” he pointed out.

Sta. Lucia’s portfolio is 75% residential communities. It is developing 110 projects nationwide, ranging from small convenience stores to large malls, Pampolina said.

He said strong economic growth in regions such as Calabarzon (5%), Central Luzon (6%), Western Visayas (7%), Cebu (7%), and Davao (6%) present opportunities for further property development.

The company, founded more than 50 years ago by the Santos brothers, has steadily expanded its portfolio, now covering over 300 subdivisions and 12,000 hectares of land across the Philippines. After becoming a public company through a reverse merger in 2007, Sta. Lucia has established a presence in 70 cities across 15 regions.

One key project is the development of a second mall in Davao that is set to open this year. Sta. Lucia identified a gap in the market and developed a mall at Monte Verde subdivision after more than a decade of vacant commercial space, Pampolina said.

“We’ve talked to other retailers and mall developers,” he said. “No one could be out there, but we saw an opportunity. So the management decided it was time to build a mall. We're building communities in places where there's no development.”

The company is also expanding its footprint in the hospitality sector, with hotels and townhouses under development. Sta. Lucia’s San Felicia brand, known for offering affordable lots for homebuilding, continues to attract younger investors.

Environmental sustainability is another priority for Sta. Lucia, Pampolina said, citing their work in energy projects and forest conservation, apart from sustainability reports that ensure transparency.

"We build projects that are not just for the second and third generation, but for the fourth and subsequent generations,” he said.

He cited Sta. Lucia’s success in Iloilo province in central Philippines, where it helped transform the area into a hub for business process outsourcing, information technology, and tourism.

As Sta. Lucia continues to expand in the provinces, retail opportunities will follow, Pampolina said. “We partnered with other developers here, and that’s how we grow and support the retail sector.”