Private and public sector leaders recently emphasized the impact of transit-oriented developments on businesses and workers, driven as they have evolved into more than just transport hubs.
The Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) recently held a forum titled “The Rise of Transit-Oriented Developments: Shaping the Future of Work and Real Estate in Southern Metro Manila,” featuring speakers and panelists from PITX, Megawide, the Department of Transportation, the City of Parañaque, Colliers Philippines, and leading corporate and retail tenants.
During the forum, PITX Chief Operating Officer Mohit Malhi said the PITX was introduced as a primary solution to the chronic traffic congestion on EDSA. By serving as a synchronized gateway for provincial and city transport, PITX effectively filters thousands of vehicles before they enter the capital’s saturated main artery.
Malhi, however, emphasized that true decongestion requires rethinking the “last mile” of the commute. This logic is the driving force behind OFFIX, the terminal’s dedicated office leasing brand.
“Traditionally, office spaces were created as destinations that required further travel after reaching a transport hub. But given current market realities, we are rethinking the workplace,” Malhi said.
By integrating professional office spaces directly into the terminal, PITX said it eliminates the need for secondary commutes into the heart of the city, keeping thousands of commuters off interior roads while providing a seamless “transit-to-desk” experience.
Parañaque City Tourism Head Cisette Ricardo noted that PITX has become a magnet for new investment, highlighting that the city is witnessing a surge in developer interest, with more commercial establishments and mixed-use projects rising specifically due to the terminal’s strategic placement and massive daily foot traffic.
For his part, The French Baker president Johnlu Koa said that the massive daily passenger flow offers unlimited brand exposure, allowing retailers to thrive outside traditional shopping malls.
Currently, the PITX is seeing a foot traffic of around 179,000 passengers daily.
Meanwhile, Colliers Philippines director for office services Kevin Jara said office demand is increasingly centering around transport-connected hubs, making transit-oriented developments the most resilient assets in the real estate market.
He emphasized the value that these developments provide to Metro Manila workers.
“Really the value of transit-oriented developments is still on the people, especially in the Philippines, where going to work is a journey,” Jara said.
“This is a conversation that we believe should have happened sometime ago, but it does not hurt to repeat and repeat and to advocate the transit-oriented developments, and we’re seeing some signs that infrastructure development is underway,” he added.
For his part, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Director Joshua Rodriguez reiterated the government’s shift toward moving people rather than cars, citing PITX as the gold standard for efficient mobility.
Moreover, VisionArch VP Architect Kenneth Uy added that designing cities around transit hubs creates healthier, more walkable, and environmentally sustainable urban environments.
With the success of the PITX, Megawide Chief Business Development Officer and PITX President Jaime Raphael Feliciano revealed that the “transit-centric” model pioneered at PITX is ready for expansion.
Currently, the company is exploring similar integrated developments in Carmona, Baguio, and Lipa to replicate this success across the archipelago.
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