Be group remains bullish on post-pandemic forecast

CEBU, Philippines — Real estate and hospitality developer Be Group of Companies remains optimistic on the post-pandemic forecast for the real estate industry.

“Nothing is stopping the [real estate sector]. In fact, our residential segment has been doing pretty good. We are on track of our [projects] schedule,” said Be Group president and chief executive officer Grand Benedicto.

While the company has to adjust a lot of things to conform with the new normal environment and health protocol, Benedicto said operations, especially in leasing and residential developments, continue to move on. In fact, it has been business as usual amid the pandemic.

In its hospitality business, Be Hotels and Resorts in Mactan and Bohol, Benedicto admitted that the properties, like other tourism establishments, are still suffering from the brunt of COVID-19.

However, each property in Mactan and Bohol are slowly gaining business traction.

According to Benedicto, future plans for its hospitality business is intact, although these are being put on hold depending on the recovery of the tourism market.

“For both brands, BE hotels and resorts & BE residences, digitalization is key and we have been consistently maintaining our presence online. While we are all anticipating the New Normal, our group has been pushing to level up our standards to deliver the BEtter Normal,” said Benedicto.

Construction of its BE Residences in Lahug is on track, while its Mabuhay Tower building at Cebu Business Park continues to attract tenants’ interest for leasing.

Meanwhile, in the spirit of the Christmas holidays, the Group opted to forego lavish celebrations for thanksgiving and Christmas parties and other extra expenses, instead allotted the budget to a greater cause.

The Group, led by Benedicto, officially turned over its gesture of “gratefulness” through monetary gift to the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF).

Be Group also launched its Be Grateful: A Time To Give Back, a campaign set to realize compassion, humanity, and support.

Establishing the sense of reciprocity, donations came through in every purchase of a ticket, and each ticket entailed a chance to win exclusive offerings from gift credits and merchandize by the Be Group.

Be Group is part of the Enrison Holdings Inc., which also owns and manages Mabuhay Filcement, BerbenWood, Living Ideas, Mabuhay Towers, among others.