𝐆𝐎𝐕. 𝐏𝐀𝐌 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐒 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐘, 𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌 𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐄𝐁𝐔 𝐈𝐍𝐓’𝐋 𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐓 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro underscored her administration’s commitment to transparent governance and long-term reforms, saying the Cebu International Investment Summit 2026 (CIIS 2026) reflects a deliberate shift toward openness, predictability, and a unified economic direction.
“𝐒𝐘𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒”
“From the very beginning of this administration, we made a choice to govern with transparency, to engage with openness, and to build systems that outlast personalities,” Gov. Baricuatro said during the opening ceremony of the summit at the Capitol Social Hall on January 12.
𝐃𝐑. 𝐓𝐎’𝐒 𝐈𝐍𝐏𝐔𝐓𝐒
Running until January 15, the four-day summit is organized by the Cebu Provincial Investment and Promotions Office, with the inputs of Dr. Brian To, the governor’s husband and a global strategist.
It brings together more than 200 registered delegates, including international investors, industry leaders, and development partners, to explore new opportunities in Cebu and position the province as a key economic hub in the Asia-Pacific region.
The governor said Cebu now stands before investors “changed — not by rhetoric, but by resolve,” offering clearer rules, more predictable processes, and “a government ready to engage as a partner, not an obstacle.”
She also highlighted the resilience and competitiveness of Cebuanos, describing them as the province’s greatest asset.
“They carried Cebu forward even when systems did not,” she said, adding that the government’s responsibility now is to “build systems worthy of them.”
Through CIIS 2026, the provincial government aims to convert growing global interest into concrete investments that will generate jobs, strengthen industries, and create long-term value for Cebuanos.
𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐑𝐒
The delegates also had ample time for business networking, allowing them to forge connections and explore potential partnerships.
Several speakers also addressed the summit. Dr. To, presented a situational analysis of national and international political developments and outlined why Cebu is a strategic investment destination.
Congressman Nathaniel Oducado of the 1Tahanan Partylist urged investors to choose Cebu, citing its multidisciplinary workforce, solid infrastructure, and current provincial leadership.
Ruben Licera, head of the Capitol’s Special Projects and Priority Initiatives, described Cebu as a destination for “active investors,” saying, “Cebu is not for passive capital. It is for active investors who know that the highest returns come from exploiting the gap between ‘perceived risk’ and ‘structural advantage’.”
Provincial Investment Promotions Officer Paulo Uy discussed opportunities for public-private partnerships involving high-value Capitol-owned properties, noting upcoming measures such as the Provincial Investment and Economic Code and the establishment of economic zones.
Atty. Aristotle Batuhan complemented the discussion by outlining the national framework for public-private partnerships and strategies for managing government-related risks.
“To our partners here today: we invite you to look at Cebu not as it once was — but as it is becoming,” Gov. Baricuatro said. “A province that has learned from its past. A government that understands trust must be earned. And a people ready to build — not just quickly, but wisely.” | CAPITOL PIO
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