𝐂𝐈𝐈𝐒 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟐:
𝐂𝐄𝐁𝐔 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐍𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆-𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐌 𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐂 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐓𝐇
Under the leadership of Governor Pamela Baricuatro, the Province of Cebu is steadily advancing its goal from a largely tourism-driven economy into a diversified regional hub for industry, trade, and technology, anchored on its strategic location, skilled workforce, growing business ecosystem, and business-friendly governance.
Discussions during Day 2 of the Cebu International Investment Summit 2026 (CIIS 2026) highlighted how ongoing and planned investments in infrastructure, energy, water, housing, and logistics are laying the groundwork for sustained investor confidence and long-term provincial development.
𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡
Industry leaders emphasized that Cebu’s major infrastructure projects, including the 4th Cebu-Mactan Bridge, Mandaue Coastal Road, Metro Cebu Expressway, New Cebu International Container Port, and the Cebu Bus Rapid Transport System, are designed not merely as transport facilities, but as platforms that unlock economic activity across sectors.
Willy Justin Go Jr. of the Cebu Contractors Association noted that these projects are expected to ease congestion, improve connectivity, and support industrial and commercial expansion, reinforcing Cebu’s competitiveness as a business destination.
Panelists also underscored the importance of aligning infrastructure growth with resilient and dependable power systems, particularly as the province attracts more manufacturing and technology-based investments.
𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬
Water security was presented as a key pillar of sustainable growth. Ramon Aboitiz Tuason, assistant vice president of Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., shared that public-private partnerships continue to play a vital role in expanding water infrastructure capacity to meet the needs of a growing population and economy.
He cited desalination and similar technologies as viable, targeted solutions, especially for island developments and economic zones, already supporting industrial users in parts of Cebu.
𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
On housing, Jose Franco Soberano, president of Cebu Landmasters Inc., said the local property market remains stable, with continued demand driven by economic activity.
He emphasized that sustained investments in transport networks, utilities, and township developments help keep housing accessible, manage urban growth, and ensure that communities develop alongside economic centers.
𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡
Logistics was also highlighted as a critical, if often unseen, driver of Cebu’s role as a gateway to the Visayas and Mindanao.
Joseph Tan, senior business consultant for cybersecurity business solutions at Globe Business, said Cebu’s airport and port infrastructure give the province a strategic advantage, supported by strong back-end systems that keep supply chains efficient.
He added that partnerships between large firms and small and medium enterprises, through mentoring and collaboration, help broaden economic participation and strengthen the overall business ecosystem.
𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫-𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐛𝐮
Speakers across panels reaffirmed that Cebu’s strengths, its strategic location, skilled workforce, entrepreneurial culture, and supportive local governance, continue to position the province as an attractive investment destination.
They noted that ongoing efforts to streamline processes, improve service delivery, and align infrastructure with community planning are essential to ensuring that growth remains balanced, inclusive, and sustainable.
As Cebu moves forward, discussions at CIIS 2026 reinforced a shared message that building strong foundations today, through coordinated planning, infrastructure investment, and public-private collaboration, will secure the province’s role as a dynamic economic hub for years to come.I CAPITOL PIO
Check this also: Gov. Pamela Baricuatro Pushes Inclusive, Trust-Based Leadership at Cebu Capitol
