Aboitiz Economic Estates expands its flagship industrial estate into Sto. Tomas, Batangas, as sustained locator activity and manufacturing growth continue to drive demand for integrated industrial space in South Luzon.
Lipa-Malvar, Batangas – Aboitiz Economic Estates formally broke ground on Phase 5 of LIMA Estate, an approximately 100-hectare expansion that marks the estate’s first development footprint into Sto. Tomas, Batangas. The groundbreaking signals the next stage of the estate’s growth, driven by continued demand from industrial locators and manufacturers operating across Batangas and South Luzon.
What began as a 384-hectare industrial park has grown into a 1,100-hectare fully-integrated industrial-anchored development, now home 201 locators and a workforce of 75,000 people. Phase 5 extends that trajectory, adding dedicated industrial land alongside a residential component to support the growing community that has built up inside the estate.
Expansion Driven by Sustained Industrial Activity
The decision to develop Phase 5 reflects conditions on the ground inside LIMA Estate. Demand for industrial land has remained consistent as manufacturers and logistics companies continue to look for operational locations in Batangas — a region whose infrastructure, port access, and proximity to Metro Manila have made it a practical choice for companies establishing or expanding production capacity in the Philippines.
LIMA Estate has added approximately 100 hectares of developable land annually to keep pace with this demand. Phase 5 follows the same approach: of the approximately 100 hectares, an estimated 60 hectares are allocated for industrial use and around 30 hectares for a residential component to support the growing workforce and community within the estate. Site development activities are expected to commence mid-year, with select lots already available for pre-selling.
The estate continues to support a broad range of industries, including electronics, semiconductors, automotive components, logistics, and consumer goods manufacturing — sectors that benefit from the integrated operating environment LIMA Estate has built over three decades, including access to existing estate services and an established locator ecosystem.
Ongoing Locator Activity Across the Estate
The groundbreaking comes alongside continued expansion activity from existing and incoming locators across the estate. Twenty-one hectares have already been sold, with recent lot turnovers include Maxort Philippines Inc., KBD Pulp Mould Packaging Equipment and Products Philippines Inc., and Hamburg Trading Corporation.
Construction and development activity is also progressing for Asia Optical Co. Inc. and Kuotiang Electronics (Philippines), adding to the manufacturing base that has taken shape inside the estate.
LIMA Estate’s electronics and manufacturing ecosystem continues to deepen. The presence of companies connected to the Epson supply chain, alongside a growing number of semiconductor and electronics-related locators, reflects the kind of industry clustering that tends to reinforce demand over time.
A Closer Look at Phase 5
Phase 5 is located between Malvar and Sto. Tomas, Batangas, with a dedicated access point along the Malvar-Sto. Tomas bypass road. This provides locators with direct connectivity to key logistics routes while remaining integrated with the broader LIMA Estate infrastructure network, including proximity to the STAR Tollway and the Port of Batangas.
The development is designed to accommodate light to medium manufacturing across a range of industry profiles. Initial phases are dedicated to industrial use, with a residential component included to support the workforce and community that operates within the estate.
Locating inside a developed industrial estate means accessing infrastructure and utilities that are already in place — estate-managed roads, power, water, and connectivity that would otherwise require significant time and capital to develop independently. For companies evaluating where to put their next facility, this integration reduces setup time and operational risk.
LIMA at A Glance
Today, LIMA Estate spans 1,100 hectares across Lipa and Malvar, Batangas, and is home to 201 locators operating across a range of industries, supported by a workforce of over 75,000 people. The estate has attracted ₱128.9 billion in investments to date and includes over 160 retail and commercial establishments — reflecting the breadth of the community and operating environment that has grown alongside its industrial core.
“Industrial location decisions today are no longer about land alone. Manufacturers need operating environments where infrastructure, utilities, workforce access, and connectivity are already integrated and reliable,” shared Clifford M. Academia, Vice President and Head of Industrial and Commercial Business, Aboitiz Economic Estates. “Phase 5 is our response to that demand. It allows us to keep building the conditions for locators to expand, for people to access more opportunities, and for the region to capture the long-term value of industrial growth.”
Looking Ahead
LIMA Estate is expected to continue its pattern of adding approximately 100 hectares of developable land per year. With Phase 5 now underway, the estate remains positioned to support the next phase of industrial and manufacturing growth in Batangas and across South Luzon, absorbing demand from both new market entrants and existing locators looking to expand their footprint within a proven operating environment. This forward trajectory is further strengthened by the upcoming completion of the LIMA Gateway by 2027, which is set to improve access and streamline movement within and around the estate.
Companies exploring industrial locations in Batangas and South Luzon are welcome to reach out to the LIMA Estate team to learn more about Phase 5 and available opportunities across the estate – select lots are currently open for pre-selling.
For inquiries, e-mail us at sales.leasing@aboitiz.com reach out to us via our social media channels @aboitizeconomicestates.
