Top 7 Reasons Why Metro Tagaytay is the Ultimate Haven for Gig Economy Professionals in CALABARZON

“Metro Tagaytay is an investment in lifestyle and future prosperity, along with an unparalleled quality of life.”

– Atty. Ernesto C. Perez II, Real Estate Attorney

By Realttorney^®

This article is not about the City of Tagaytay. It will be mentioned often as it is the Summer Capital of the CALABARZON Region. But it will not be the focus of this essay.

According to the Cavite Enhanced Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan 2021 – 2030, “the areas of Tagaytay, a portion of Silang, Alfonso, Mendez, Amadeo, Indang, Ternate, Maragondon and Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo comprises the third Growth Area known as Metro Tagaytay or the Tourism Haven and Food Basket of the Province. These are the top food producers in the province and sit some of the province’s scenic and tourism spots.”[1]

Of course, the most famous local government unit (LGU) in this cluster is Tagaytay City. Being approximately 56 kilometers south of the National Capital Region (NCR), some consider Tagaytay City the next best thing to Baguio for local and foreign tourists, who want to experience a cooler climate and escape the concrete jungle of NCR.

But, the Metro Tagaytay Area is more than just the City of Character. As the third Growth Area in the Framework Plan of Cavite, LGUs in this cluster “have an abundance of lands for agricultural purposes and settlements expansion without undermining the need to preserve its functional role as the province’s top food producing areas.”

The Metro Tagaytay Area’s strategic location, pleasant climate, and the government’s commitment to infrastructure development as key factors driving its real estate market. These factors not only enhance the quality of life but also contribute to the long-term attractiveness of Metro Tagaytay as an investment destination.

The Metro Tagaytay Area is not a retirees’ haven. I would argue that it would be a haven for the young professionals in the Gig economy. This Gig Economy in the Philippines has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by technological advancements, changing work preferences, and economic dynamics.

Young professionals, typically aged between 20 to 40 years, constitute a substantial segment of this burgeoning workforce. Engaged in various freelance, contract-based, or project-oriented roles, these individuals leverage digital platforms and specialized skills to offer services across diverse sectors such as technology, finance, marketing, and creative arts.

But we are not talking about digital nomads here. We are discussing those young professionals who have a specialized skill set and embrace the autonomy to choose projects, set their schedules, and work remotely, aligning with their lifestyle preferences and career aspirations.

We are talking about young entrepreneurs who command higher pay rates and have diversified income streams, and personal brands to leverage on. But at the same time, they effectively collaborate with their clients and manage their workflow efficiently.

A study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) highlighted that the Philippines has one of the highest rates of freelancers in Southeast Asia, with the Gig Economy playing a pivotal role in enhancing economic resilience and fostering innovation. In an International Labour Organisation (ILO) study on online freelance workers in the Philippines, female online freelancers cited the need to take care of young children as a key reason why they chose such work.

According to a report by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Gross Value Added generated by the information and communication services sector, which encompasses a significant portion of the Gig Economy, contributed approximately PhP 689.22 billion to the country’s GDP in 2022. This contribution underscores the economic significance of the Gig Economy in driving growth and employment opportunities.

Hence, these young professionals in the Gig Economy have the financial capacity to afford real property in the Metro Tagaytay Area, where the lifestyle is laid-back and internet connection is relatively reliable. Aside from these factors, here are the top 7 reasons why:

1. The excellent climate. Except for Ternate and the non-mountainous areas of Maragondon, Metro Tagaytay is blessed with relatively low temperatures, normally 1 to 2 degrees lower than the temperature in the National Capital Region, and abundant rainfall. Despite the temperatures in the Metro Tagaytay area reaching the mid-30, especially during May and June, the entire area experiences cooler temperatures at nighttime until the break of dawn during summertime.

The majority of the LGUs belonging to the cluster are located 230 to 600 meters above sea level. This is the major reason for the cool and invigorating climate. As such, these young professionals will often have lower electricity bills during summer compared to those in the National Capital Region.

2. The fresh air. The majority of the land area of the Metro Tagaytay Area is still planted with forest and fruit trees, especially in the Municipalities of Indang, Alfonso, Amadeo, Mendez, and General Emilio Aguinaldo. No thick smog envelopes the area during the early mornings unlike in Metro Manila. Read here what my favorite business columnist Boo Chanco wrote about how “Metro Manila is getting uninhabitable” way back in 2014.

Imagine nurturing one’s baby and toddlers in an environment where smog and vehicle exhaust is not prevalent or widespread. Imagine also waking up with the sounds of different birds chirping and peeking from the bedroom window.

3. The low prices of basic agricultural products. The member LGUs of the cluster are the top food producers of the Province of Cavite. Hence, the residents benefit from this. Costs of basic commodities – fruits, vegetables, meats, and other agricultural products – are relatively cheap in the Metro Tagaytay area. For example, the public market of Indang is the source of cheap but fresh agricultural produce sold to consumers.

4. Healthcare Excellence. Metro Tagaytay boasts a commendable healthcare infrastructure that resonates with the needs of young professionals in the Gig Economy. The presence of state-of-the-art hospitals, specialized clinics, and healthcare centers ensures accessibility to quality medical services. Tagaytay Medical Center is a private hospital located beside the Fora Mall of Filinvest along Aguinaldo Highway. It has a 50 to 100 in-patient bed capacity with laboratory and diagnostic services.

Meanwhile, in Alfonso, Cavite there is the De La Salle Dr. Rodolfo Poblete Memorial Hospital in Brgy. Poblacion I. However, the newest hospital in the Metro Tagaytay Area is Mendez Specialists Medical Center along Tagaytay-Mendez Road. It is a 4-story state-of-the-art healthcare facility that can service the residents of Alfonso, Indang, and Tagaytay City.

Finally, M.V. Santiago Medical and Diagnostic Center Indang is a multi-specialty clinic located in Poblacion 3, Indang, Cavite that caters to the residents of Indang, my hometown. However, in about 2 years, a government tertiary hospital will rise inside the main campus of the Cavite State University in Brgy. Bancod, Indang.

5. Educational Opportunities. For young professionals considering educational prospects for their families or personal advancement, Metro Tagaytay presents a myriad of options. The area is home to reputable educational institutions, including the main campus of the Cavite State University (Don Severino Delas Alas Campus), and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines along the Luksuhin-Mangas Road in Alfonso, Cavite.

The Municipality of Silang boasts the most number of tertiary education institutions, namely, Far Easter University – Silang Campus, Adventist University of the Philippines, Rogationist College, and the Cavite State University – Silang Campus.

6. Stress-free living. Most of the people living in the Metro Tagaytay area are laid back. But it doesn’t mean that they don’t work hard. It’s a daily experience living close to Nature. Chirping birds wake you up in the morning along with refreshing and cool air. How can you be stressed when you have a low cost of electricity and a low cost of basic produce?

Moreover, the Metro Tagaytay area consistently records low crime rates compared to the neighboring municipalities. The area ensures a safe living environment due to its well-established network of law enforcement agencies and community watch programs. Hence, Metro Tagaytay is perfect for those who want to fully embrace the laptop lifestyle – people who make a living online (virtual assistants and online entrepreneurs).

It is a joy driving around the Metro Tagaytay area. Of course, the presence of slow-moving tricycles as well as dogs and chickens suddenly crossing the road are sources of minor frustrations. There is hardly any traffic during weekdays. Monstrous traffic jams occur only in Tagaytay City and Silang starting Fridays up to the late afternoon of Sundays and during long holidays.

7. Finally, the prices of real properties are still competitive compared to other areas in the CALABARZON Region. Metro Tagaytay’s real estate market presents a golden opportunity for young professionals in the Gig Economy to secure relatively affordable and promising investments. Land values in the Metro Tagaytay Area are still competitive compared to other cities and municipalities in the Province of Cavite.

The only exception here is the City of Tagaytay, where land values are about 30% to 60% higher compared to the other Metro Tagaytay municipalities. Of course, the exception to this is the City of Tagaytay. But there are still bargains to be had in the area of Metro Tagaytay and in Tagaytay City itself.

Personally, I project a sustained growth in property values in the Metro Tagaytay Area, driven by factors such as infrastructure development (the opening of the Silang West Interchange of CALAX, completion of East-West Lateral Road, and the construction of CTBEX), increased urbanization, and the region’s growing popularity as a farm lot development hub. With the Gig Economy’s flexibility, young professionals can leverage their property as an investment, either through rental income or capital appreciation.

As a permanent resident of Metro Tagaytay for the last 16 years, I have seen the area’s growth and development at a comfortable pace. Major developers have entered the Metro Tagaytay market. However, like all real estate markets, there are challenges and negative factors to consider. Hence, these developers are cautiously optimistic about this market in general.

It is only a matter of time before young professionals of the Gig Economy see the potential of the entirety of Metro Tagaytay and invest accordingly. Invest now while bargains are still prevalent. Various types of real estate projects will cater to the needs of these young professionals.

A note of caution though. Please consult a licensed real estate broker before purchasing real property. And, if you will purchase a house and lot or a farm lot make sure that there is a License to Sell issued by the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) and that the real estate project is registered with the DHSUD, as well.

Invest wisely. Invest safely.

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Atty. Jojo is a real estate attorney, an estate planning attorney, a licensed real estate broker, and a PRC-accredited Lecturer/ Speaker for Training Programs in Real Estate. He is committed to helping new and veteran real estate service practitioners be well-informed of the latest laws, rules, regulations, and information relevant to the real estate service sector.

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[1] See Page 27 of the Cavite Enhanced Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan 2021 – 2030. But, as an observation, I would like to think that the drafters of the current Framework Plan inadvertently failed to mention the Municipality of Magallanes, as another component of Metro Tagaytay.