Mitsubishi, partner plan $1 bn homes

Seeking to cover part of the country’s huge backlog of 6.6 million housing units, the new venture plans to launch about 15 new housing projects equivalent to around 33,000 housing units within the next five years.
 Each unit will be priced between 1 million pesos and 6 million pesos, targeting middle-income first time homebuyers. Overall, the deal will deliver homes worth more than 57 billion pesos.
The joint venture company, to be named Phirst Park Homes, will be incorporated after the joint venture agreement has secured clearance from the Philippine Competition Commission. The projects will be launched in key locations outside of Metro Manila under a new brand called PHirst Park Homes.
Capital expenditures for the first five years are estimated at around 10 billion pesos. Under the terms of the agreement, CPG will subscribe to 60 per cent and Mitsubishi to 40 per cent of the authorised capital stock equivalent to 5 billion |pesos over the same five-year horizon.
From a return on equity point of view, deepening their affordable housing partnership is seen beneficial for both CPG and Mitsubishi because of the faster turnaround time and higher margins from this type of development compared to high-rise residential developments.
“Our joint venture partnership with Mitsubishi Corp solidifies Century’s plans of diversification and strengthens its positioning not just in the affordable housing |category, but in the broader first home buyer market,” Century Properties chairman Jose Antonio said.
“We thank Mitsubishi for its continued trust and confidence in Century Properties. Our relationship has certainly been fruitful to date with our two projects with them – both for the office building in Century City, and in Tanza, Cavite to date. It is but natural to take it to the next level.”
“The big housing demand, coupled by the natural and good chemistry between Century Properties and Mitsubishi Corp., led us to a great milestone today – the signing of an agreement to form a joint venture company for affordable housing. 
Mitsubishi general manager of Asean urban development department Hidetoshi Suzuki said: “This is not just for one project but for a long-term relationship that will make significant contributions in addressing the housing backlog in the Philippines.”