Some government agencies are examining whether unused condominium units could be repurposed into retirement-focused residences, according to the Commission on Overseas Filipinos (COF).
COF chairperson Dante “Clink” Ang II said officials have discussed the matter with the Philippine Retirement Authority, noting the large number of vacant vertical properties across Metro Manila. “Noong naguusap po kami ng Philippine Retirement Authority, napuna nila na marami tayong mga sobrang condominium dito sa atin and I think they are talking to several large developers kung paano nila macoconvert yung iba doon to independent living or assisted living [units],” he said.
Interest in retiring in the Philippines has been growing among Filipinos who left decades ago, Ang explained. “Kasi marami ang tumitingin dito para magretire… ‘Yung mga umalis noong dekada 80, they are at that stage na po,” he told state television PTV. He added, “Bagamat maganda yung buhay nila doon, iba pa rin yung buhay dito sa atin.”
Real estate analysts have recently pointed to an oversupply of condominium units in the capital region, with estimates last year suggesting about 29 months’ worth of inventory remained unoccupied. Industry watchers attributed the situation to higher borrowing costs and increased interest in standalone homes. They also linked some vacancies to the exit of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations workers following the government’s total ban on POGO activities.
Aside from retirement housing prospects, the COF has been observing new migration patterns among Filipinos, Ang said. “Before the pandemic, bumababa na talaga yung number of Filipinos migrating abroad, but hindi pa tapos yung 2025 may kaunting uptick,” he noted, adding, “Baka babalik sa dating level around 2016 na 70,000 to 80,000 a year.”
While he did not elaborate further, Ang mentioned that coordination is ongoing with Filipino communities overseas to help address concerns such as homesickness.
