MANILA, Philippines – Inclusive mobility was at the forefront of discussions among member economies of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) last week, as transportation ministers highlighted its significance in helping achieve inclusive growth across the region.

Under the theme, “Driving Economic Growth: Inclusive Mobility and Sustainable Transport Systems,” Apec ministers have zeroed in on the need to ensure that transportation services and facilities are
accessible and convenient to the public, while remaining reliable and resilient in the face of disasters and environmental and resource constraints. Such a direction was deemed critical to support the
region’s sustained growth, and to create greater prosperity to the people across member economies.

“Advancing inclusive mobility means addressing the transportation requirements of all, especially those in vulnerable sectors of our society–the persons with disability, women, children, and the elderly,” Philippine Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said at the 9th Apec Transportation Ministerial Meeting held in Cebu last week.

“Improving mobility translates to increased productivity which helps accelerate economic progress. Inclusive mobility would meant that everyone’s needs are incorporated in the transport plans, programs,
activities, projects of all economies throughout the region,” Abaya added.

With connectivity and access to efficient transport systems seen to bridge the gap and help push forward Apec’s economic agenda, it thus pays to have property developers who also make a conscious effort to
be a part of the solution, by creating projects that help address such concerns.

One such developer would be Empire East Land Holdings Inc., which has since been offering projects that can provide easy access to transport systems and help improve mobility among its residents.
For more than two decades, Empire East has continued to reinforce its dominance in the property industry by creating and delivering innovative and well-thought out developments.

“The company is constantly compelled to infuse exceptional value into its real estate developments, with the singular emphasis on offering positive, transformative lifestyle experiences to middle-income
Filipinos that dream of owning a home,” said Empire East President and CEO Atty. Anthony Charlemagne Yu.

“It is our dedication to deliver comfort and satisfaction to our customers that strengthens the visibility, relevance and reliability of the Empire East brand. Indeed, with the company’s business anchored on solid values of integrity and excellence, we believe that we can be a perfect partner to a country that continues to traverse the path to inclusive growth,” Yu added.

One with the government in the belief that efficient transport and mobility can help bring about growth, Empire East has created developments that provide direct link and immediate access to some of the country’s major transport hubs. Currently included in its portfolio of projects are the so-called transit oriented developments or TODs which continue to be a favorite among potential homebuyers.

TODs, which were first introduced by Empire East in 2007, are developments that are either near or directly linked to a mass transit line. These projects formed part of the company’s portfolio of
developments all of which are geared towards creating value for Filipinos through an innovative lifestyle concept. And such a lifestyle has never been more apparent than with these TODs.

“This opened to people the exciting lifestyle possibilities afforded by an address linked to a mass transit line. Today, Empire East’s three TODs continue to rise in the best locations in the metro. These are the Little Baguio Terraces in San Juan City; Pioneer Woodlands in Mandaluyong City; and San Lorenzo Place, located within the central business district of Makati,” Yu related.

“To date, over 6,400 residential units in our three TODs have been put on stream. Sales takeup for these projects have been exceptional across the board, with Little Baguio Terraces at 42 percent, Pioneer
Woodlands at 52 percent, and San Lorenzo Place at 72 percent,” he added. Here’s a quick glance at the various TODs that truly make Empire East a strong contender in the mid-market segment. These are exactly the type of developments that enabled Empire East to further cement its reputation as a developer that has a strong and strategic orientation toward customer value.

Little Baguio Terraces
Located between Aurora Boulevard and N. Domingo Street in San Juan, this development affords future homeowners advantages concerning mobility, as it has been designed by Empire East to reap the benefits of a superior location close to two LRT-2 train stations.

The project has also been identified and marketed as an ideal home base for students because of its proximity to the university district in Katipunan, Quezon City, as well as Manila’s very own university
belt. The LRT-2 links up to the MRT-3 and LRT-1 train lines, which allow convenient travel to a diversity of destinations in Quezon City, Pasig, Makati, Ortigas and the Araneta Center.

Pioneer Woodlands

This six-tower residential condominium community is located along Edsa corner Pioneer Street in Mandaluyong City, and boasts of a direct link to the transport hub of the MRT-3 station in Boni via the MRT-3 Interlink Bridgeway. Pioneer Woodlands is a project of Empire East that truly visualizes for the public the benefits of a transit-oriented lifestyle.

The project’s location along the main thoroughfare of Edsa also reinforces the kind of convenience homeowners can enjoy from such a community. To date, the warm reception for Pioneer Woodlands
continues, with 1,585 out of 3,054 residential units currently taken up.

San Lorenzo Place

Set at the junction of Edsa and Chino Roces Avenue in Makati, the four-tower project offers what the company has dubbed as “CBD residences,” which are modern homes that cater to urban professionals
in Makati. This is ideal for those who are not only looking to live where they work, but for those who could also appreciate the commuting convenience offered by a strategic link to the MRT-3 trains.

Out of the project’s 2,173 residential units, 1,554 have been sold. The project’s first tower to be constructed is complete, with turnover currently at the 36th level. Waterproofing and hardscaping works are ongoing at the ground level.

“The continued warm reception of homebuyers for all Empire East residences is proof that the company is indeed meeting a very specific need among younger, savvier homebuyers. In this vein, we are steadfast
in our dedication to not only fast-track our turnover schedules so that clients can enjoy the CBD lifestyle much sooner but also to continuously innovate and provide developments that would continue to
increase in value over time,” Yu concluded.

Empire East was once part of tycoon Andrew Tan’s Megaworld Corp., but had branched out in 1994 as an independent company, and eventually listed at the Philippine Stock Exchange. Currently, Empire East
specializes in the creation of residential communities for the middle-income market segment, and in the sale or lease of commercial and industrial spaces.

Over the years, Empire East has built landmark residential communities that have transformed the urban and suburban landscapes. It has likewise introduced new and innovative concepts such as township developments that seek to uplift the quality of living experience for residents. ADVT