CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Italpinas Development Corporation (IDC), one of the pioneers of green and sustainable real estate in the Philippines, has announced a major leadership transition that signals a new phase of growth for the company.
Founder Architect Romolo V. Nati is stepping down as Chief Executive Officer after 15 years of leading the company. He will remain actively involved as Executive Chairman and Chief Design Officer, focusing on design, architecture, and long-term vision for all current and future developments.
Engr. Giuseppe Garofalo will take over as Chief Executive Officer, tasked with leading the company’s next chapter of expansion into the country’s most promising cities.
A Strategic Move for Growth
Industry observers see the transition as a strategic move rather than a departure. By shifting Nati to chairman and design chief, Italpinas is separating day-to-day operations from creative leadership, a structure often adopted by maturing property developers preparing for larger-scale expansion.
Under Nati’s leadership, Italpinas grew from a single project in Cagayan de Oro into a publicly listed developer known for EDGE-certified, nature-inspired projects that combine Italian design with Filipino community living. The company proved that sustainable developments can succeed commercially in emerging cities outside Metro Manila.
Nati said the transition will allow him to focus on what he does best while giving the company fresh operational leadership.
“This transition will allow me to focus on what I love most: designing, creating, and imagining better cities while also spending more time with my family and reconnecting with nature, which has always been my source of inspiration,” Nati said.
Confidence in New Leadership
Nati expressed strong confidence in Garofalo, citing his passion and discipline as key to sustaining the company’s momentum.
“I have full confidence that Engr. Giuseppe Garofalo will lead Italpinas with the same passion and discipline that have brought us here. Under his leadership, the company is poised for an exciting new chapter of growth and expansion into the country’s most promising cities,” he said.
Business Outlook
For partners, investors, and buyers in Cagayan de Oro and beyond, the announcement signals continuity and stability. Nati will continue to oversee design and architecture, ensuring that Italpinas projects keep their signature green identity, while Garofalo leads execution, operations, and expansion strategy.
With demand growing for sustainable townships and green condominiums in Mindanao and other emerging urban centers, Italpinas is positioning itself to capture new opportunities in the next decade.
“To everyone who has been part of this journey – thank you. Your belief in our mission has been the foundation of everything we’ve built. I hope you will continue to support Italpinas as we move forward into this next chapter greener, stronger, and more inspired than ever,” Nati said.
Founded on the vision of building sustainable, nature-inspired communities, Italpinas Development Corporation continues to be headquartered in its growth story in Cagayan de Oro, where its Uptown developments helped establish the city as a hub for green urban living in the Philippines.
