IN addition to compensation and benefits, more firms today are also using the advantage of an attractive workplace location in a business district to attract millennials into their organizations.
“We understand that high-energy office locations that offer easy access to retail, dining and entertainment options are highly attractive to today’s young work force,” according to Catherine A. Ilagan, executive vice president of Filinvest Alabang Inc (FAI). FAI is the developer of Parkway Corporate Center, a 32-story tower set for completion in 2019, which will be at the gateway of the rapidly growing Filinvest City. It will also be a short stroll away from Festival Alabang and all the conveniences and benefits offered by this regional mall now, which is also undergoing expansion.
Ilagan and Parkway Corporate Center team point out to potential buyers that firms in good locations have higher chances of retaining millennials, who may now compromise the bulk of the work force. This advantage is all the more relevant today, given the race among expanding business-process outsourcing (BPOs) and other local companies to recruit local talents. Moreover, firms from Singapore and Hong Kong, that have aging work forces, have also begun recruiting Filipino talents and are heightening the competition for these young talents with an average age of 23.5.
But more than just its attractive location, this purely office condominium investment has also attracted buyers, mostly professionals and entrepreneurs, in information and communications, financial and other services wanting to secure space for their operations over the long term. Ilagan notes that for more than a decade now, BPOs have been driving the office market and will continue to do so, given the industry’s growth prospects.
The buyers and their firms have, likewise, benefited from the resurgent Philippine economy and are now looking to do business in the Asean region, according to Ilagan. Their growth since the start of the decade has justified their investment in a strategic and prestigious office address, like Parkway Corporate Center, which also has a business center for meetings and seminars.
In addition, buyers foresee that capital values in Filinvest City, including projects like Parkway Corporate Center, are rising further as enhancements in the city’s masterplan are implemented. Ilagan notes that this will include the addition of an integrated greenway system traversing the 244-hectare city from north to south and from east to west to encourage walking. In fact, more than half of the north-south walkway measuring close to a kilometer in length, is already operational and being enjoyed by visitors and locators alike.
Ilagan noted, “Given a choice, Filipinos prefer to ride rather than walk. Nevertheless, we are seeing that they will walk if given an engaging and comfortable environment.” The greenway system includes an expanded and landscaped median with trees and flowers lining the pathwalks. Lighting, seating areas and outdoor art pieces have also been included in the plan to catch the attention of pedestrians. Bike lanes have also been set up to further give guests and locators still another environment-friendly mode of transportation. “From a broader perspective, we are enhancing Filinvest City to facilitate mobility within the CBD [central business district]. We want a city dominated by pedestrians and not by cars, which contribute to congestion and pollution,” she said.
In the meantime, she expects environment-conscious millennial employees to highly appreciate the pedestrian-friendly focus of the city. In addition, Parkway Corporate Center’s units beginning at 36 square meter will offer expansive views of the nearby River Park. Units can easily be combined to form larger units and are equipped with a fiber-optic backbone and radio frequency identification access for security purposes. All told, Parkway Corporate Center is an ideal work environment not only for millennials but for anyone seeking a healthy work environment.