Ayala Land advances next phase of Lio coastal estate

AYALA LAND, INC. (ALI) is expanding investments in its Lio coastal estate in El Nido, Palawan, as it seeks to capture rising demand for longer stays, lifestyle-oriented travel, and second homes.

The property developer said in a statement on Monday that it is focusing on the next phase of Sitio Aplaya, a mixed-use development within the 320-hectare (ha) master-planned estate.

“The next phase of Lio is about strengthening how the estate functions as a connected, lived-in destination. These investments reinforce the relationship between nature, community, and enterprise within a single integrated framework,” said Cris Zuluaga, group head for Ayala Land Leisure Estates.

ALI said the estate is being positioned to serve a broader customer base beyond short-term tourists, including residents and entrepreneurs.

The company said its investments will fund infrastructure and community improvements to enhance connectivity and internal circulation within the estate.

Projects in the pipeline include a 3.7-kilometer (km) waterfront boardwalk, a transport terminal and events pavilion, a visitor center, and pedestrian pathways linking residents and guests to Lio Airport.

Sitio Aplaya, a 16.3-ha mixed-use district near Lio Beach, is intended to expand the estate’s tenant offerings in an integrated setting, the company said.

“Lio attracts people who want to engage more deeply with the places they are part of — whether through business, creativity, or community life, That connection between nature, culture, and everyday life continues to shape its evolution,” Ayala Land Creative Director Paloma Urquijo Zobel de Ayala said.

The Lio development is aligned with ALI’s broader hospitality strategy in Palawan.

In January, the company launched the refurbished Lagen Island Resort, which features water villas, forest suites, rooms, and deluxe rooms ranging from 44 square meters (sq.m.) to 63 sq.m.

Shares in ALI fell 1.31%, or 20 centavos, to close at P15.10 each on Monday. — Juliana Chloe A. Gonzales