The Philippine Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) market has grown rapidly since the debut of AREIT Inc. in 2020. With eight REITs now listed, this investment vehicle—mandated to distribute at least 90% of its annual income as dividends—has become a cornerstone for investors seeking stable, income-generating assets. However, a significant portion of the current REIT roster is concentrated in commercial, office, and mall properties. This is about to change.

The SEC Steps In to Define “REIT-able”
To spur further listings and diversify the market, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is moving to officially define and expand the list of eligible “income-generating assets” that can be held by a REIT.
As SEC Chairman Francis Lim noted, the commission plans to “enumerate them in order to minimize issues.” This is a crucial clarification, as the current law broadly defines “Income-generating real estate” to include properties held for generating income like rentals, toll fees, and user’s fees. By explicitly listing assets, the SEC is opening the door for a wave of non-traditional REITs.

Diversification is the Name of the Game
While the initial success of office and commercial REITs has been excellent, a market concentration in a single sector, even one as strong as real estate, poses risks. Investors need different asset classes to hedge against sector-specific downturns, such as the volatility seen in the office segment following the shift to remote work.

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The proposed “Keep Call Centers in America Act” is a U.S. Senate bill that poses a significant risk to the Philippines’ booming business process outsourcing (BPO) industry. This legislation aims to reverse the trend of offshoring call center jobs by imposing penalties on companies that move operations overseas. If passed, this act could have a ripple effect on the Philippine economy, particularly on its BPO sector and the real estate market.

The Act’s Provisions and Their Implications
The core of the “Keep Call Centers in America Act” is to discourage offshoring by making it less economically attractive. Key provisions include:
Public Offshoring List: The bill requires the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to create and maintain a public list of employers that have relocated call center work overseas. This public disclosure could lead to reputational damage for companies.
Loss of Federal Benefits: Businesses on this list would become ineligible for new federal grants, loans, and certain contracts. This is a major disincentive, especially for companies with significant government business.

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Hear from Joan Cosico, Chief Investor Relations Officer of CREIT, as she answers questions courtesy of The Dividend Investor podcast by Dragonfi.

Good news for investors of MREIT – the real estate investment trust of Megaworld Corp. is making a strategic move to fast-track its growth. The company has announced an ambitious plan to achieve a gross leasable area (GLA) of 1 million square meters by 2027, a full three years ahead of its initial schedule.

This accelerated timeline is a testament to MREIT’s commitment to delivering exceptional value to its shareholders. The company’s Chairman, Kevin L. Tan, stated that this decision is a direct result of their vision to grow faster and exceed market expectations.
So, how will they do it? The plan involves a capital raise and the infusion of more prime assets into the company’s portfolio. The Board has already given its nod to increase the authorized capital stock and issue new common shares. The funds from this initiative will be used to further bolster MREIT’s already strong portfolio.

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VREIT has a very high dividend yield of 12%, reflecting the high risk that investors attach to it. Although it currently reports an occupancy rate of 97%, it looks like that will not be maintained in the future if we believe what netizens on X are saying:

This is Vista Mall Las Piñas’ Cinema and Appliance Centers now. Karma i guess pic.twitter.com/yHm1KskNaj

— Heyograpinas (@HEYOgrapinas) September 5, 2025

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