BIZ BUZZ: Big developers eye Puerto Princesa’s next growth chapter
Puerto Princesa may be best known for its world-famous natural attractions, but big property players are beginning to see something else in the Palawan capital: serious investment potential.
This bolsters Puerto Princesa’s ambition to be more than just a gateway to Palawan’s tourism destinations.
Among the developments drawing attention is Megaworld’s six-hectare Baytown Palawan, a mixed-use lifestyle township along Puerto Princesa South Road.
Megaworld affiliate Suntrust Properties is also expanding its residential and community developments in Puerto Princesa.
But perhaps the bigger number comes from Sta. Lucia.
Its approximately 500-hectare Sta. Lucia Environmental Estate, an ecotourism and environmental development designated as a Tourism Enterprise Zone by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, carries a stated investment potential of up to a whopping P200 billion.
The hospitality sector is also getting its share of attention, with boutique operator One-Of Collection expanding its presence through Amorita Resort and Spa and The Funny Lion properties.
For Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron, the growing interest presents an opportunity to attract more private capital and translate the city’s economic potential into actual investments.
That ambition will take center stage on Oct. 23, when the city holds its 2026 Investment Forum at Conrad Manila, bringing together an expected 150 investors, business leaders, policymakers and development partners.
The gathering will also put the spotlight on opportunities in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions sector, as the city seeks to broaden its economic base.
The bigger challenge, of course, will be turning investor interest into actual projects, jobs and long-term economic activity.
But with major property developers already staking out opportunities, Puerto Princesa appears determined to make its case as one of the country’s emerging investment destinations.
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