Investment and Entrepreneurship Summit opens Cebu Business Month 2026

CEBU CITY – The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) officially opened its Cebu Business Month (CBM) 2026 with the “Investment and Entrepreneurship Summit” on June 4 with a call for stronger collaboration to position Cebu as a leading investment and innovation hub in the Philippines.

“The CBM 2026 Investment and Entrepreneurship Summit aims to foster intersections between investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and industry leaders to drive Cebu's economic growth. It emphasizes the importance of public-private partnerships, entrepreneurship as a key driver for competitiveness, and the need for startups to scale,” said Harold Sy, chair of the Summit.

Sy bared that the Summit seeks to unlock immediate investment opportunities and continue the conversation through subsequent events. The ultimate goal is to turn these discussions into a movement that champions entrepreneurship as a collective focus for the Philippines' economic future.

CCCI president Regan Rex King opened the CBM 2026 Summit with a clear challenge--Cebu faces a choice - adapt to change or lead it.  With global tech disruption, shifting supply chains, and ecosystem-level competition, standing still is no longer neutral.

“Standing still means falling behind,” but King reminded delegates that Cebu isn’t starting from behind. “Built by entrepreneurs, risk-takers, and families who create opportunity, Cebu is strategically located, globally connected, and resilient,” he added.

The task now is to turn momentum into direction through CCCI’s “LEAD A-MUST with IMPACT” agenda:  Lift Cebu’s image, Engage communities for inclusive growth, Activate partnerships, and Develop talent. His call was simple - don’t be spectators, be builders. “Cebu does not wait for the future to arrive. A United Cebu helps shape it,” King noted.

King called for collective action among government, business, academe, entrepreneurs, and investors and urged stakeholders to work together in building a resilient, competitive, and future-ready Cebu.

CBM 2026 Chair Bryan Yap then translated that vision into a deliberate plan. He framed uncertainty as the starting point: the regions that win the next decade won’t be the strongest of the past, but those who see the shift coming and move deliberately.

” That is why CBM 2026 was designed as one connected master plan. Four summits, one question: Is Cebu ready for what comes next?” Yap asked. 

Starting with Investment and Entrepreneurship to capture opportunity and signal belief, then Tech & Innovation, MICE and Tourism, and Good Design, Good Business, Yap’s message built directly on King’s.

Yap highlighted the need for Cebu to adapt to changes driven by technology, investment trends, and global competition and emphasized that investment and entrepreneurship are crucial indicators of confidence in Cebu's future.

He then urged stakeholders to actively participate in shaping the province's economic direction and encouraged delegates to engage in all four CBM summits to gain a complete understanding of Cebu's development agenda. (Photos: MBCNewman)

 

 

 

 

PH, Central Visayas economic performance outlook

CEBU CITY – The Philippine economy grew by 4.4 percent in 2025, down from 5.7 percent in 2024, with services contracting by 5.9 percent while Central Visayas, valued at 1.32 trillion, grew by 3.7 percent despite global and domestic headwinds, with key growth sectors include wholesale and retail, financial services, and human health, while manufacturing declined by 9 percent.

Evelyn Nacario-Castro, Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev)-Region 7 presented the economic outlook of the country and Central Visayas at the Investment and Entrepreneurship Summit, June 4 at Radisson Blu Hotel hosted by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) as an opening salvo for the Cebu Business Months (CBM) 2026.

Castro went on to say that in the first quarter of 2026, growth moderated to 2.8 percent due to domestic and global pressures, including the Middle East crisis. Unemployment in Central Visayas averaged 4.59 percent, lower than the national rate of 4.68 percent.  

Inflation was higher in Central Visayas due to geopolitical tensions and disasters, while future growth depends on energy diversification, improved logistics, and policy reforms. The region aims for stable growth, managed inflation, and sustained investments, she added.

      Challenges, growth drivers, macroeconomic indicators and labor statistics

Central Visayas faced challenges such as back-to-back typhoons, flood control scandals, and declining investor confidence.  The economy is heavily services-driven at 71 percent, followed by industry at 24 percent and agriculture at 4.8 percent.

Services continue to lead growth at 5.2 percent, while agriculture declined slightly, Castro noted that major contributors to the regional economy include wholesale and retail, financial insurance activities, real estate, and human health.

On macroeconomic indicators and labor stats, the Philippines labor market saw unemployment rise from five percent in March 2026 but remains competitive regionally, with unemployment rate in Central Visayas averaged at 4.59 percent in 2025, lower than the national average of 4.68 percent.

Indicators said that underemployment in Central Visayas was consistently lower than the national level, with rates of 9.7 percent and 13.7 percent respectively.  Inflation rates were higher in Central Visayas due to geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions from disasters, the report said.

Future growth outlook, strategic priorities

According to Castro that the economy is expected to grow but is shaped by global shocks and domestic challenges.  Central Visayas is particularly inflation-sensitive due to its geography and economic structure.

Key strategic priorities include energy diversification, improving transport and supply chains, and enhancing investor confidence through policy reforms. The region must also focus on diversifying agriculture into higher value segments and investing in skills, health, and education to build a competitive workforce, the report said.

“There are three possible paths for the region: moderate growth, downside scenario, and upside scenario.  In the baseline scenario, growth is expected to normalize to 4-5 percent, with moderate inflation and selective investments,” Castro added.

According to Castro, the downside scenario involves higher oil prices, global recession risks, and slower tourism growth, with potential unemployment rising in tourism-linked sectors.  The upside scenario sees oil prices stabilizing, logistics improvements, and manufacturing diversification, with growth reaching 5-6 percent.

“The future is uncertain, but the goal is to achieve stable growth, controlled regulation, and sustained investments.  Achieving this requires coordinated management, fiscal and structural policies, and strategic investments informed by timely statistics and data, Castro said.

The region must focus on innovation, collaboration, and the determination of all leaders to sustain and protect growth, with a call to action for all stakeholders to support the economic growth and development of Central Visayas, Castro concluded. (Photos: MBCNewman)

 

 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF SENATOR FRANCIS ‘CHIZ’G. ESCUDERO

The current impasse in the Senate is untenable and unacceptable.

When political divisions become too extreme and obstruct our mandate, we must all have the courage to pause, gain perspective, reflect, consider and realize that we should put the  Senate, as the institution that we serve, above ourselves.

This is not a political contest. I am not taking sides. I am taking a stand for the Senate. My allegiance is not to any faction, personality, group or alliance. This is not about loyalty, betrayal, or choosing one group over the other—this is about duty.

Hindi ito usaping pampulitika. Wala akong sinasamahan o iniiwanang grupo, pangkat o paksyon. Hindi ko sinasabi na may mali o tama o may nagkulang o nagmalabis kaninuman. Ngunit hindi pwedeng manatili tayo sa ganitong sitwasyon. Ang naaapektuhan na ay ang mismong kakayahan ng Senado na gampanan ang kaniyang tungkulin sa bayan.

Ito ang rason at dahilan ng aking pasya ngayong araw na ito. Hinihiling ko ang inyong pag-unawa sa amin, kasabay ng inyong panalangin para sa inyong Senado na malampasan ang hamon na ito at patuloy na magampanan namin ang aming tungkulin sa inyo at sa sambayanan.

Asia Pacific organizations struggle to cybersecurity, AI-driven threats

 CEBU CITY – Asia Pacific organizations are struggling to keep pace as cybersecurity complexity and AI-driven threats strain their current ability to respond effectively, revealed findings of a new study commissioned by Fortinet, the driving force in the evolution of cybersecurity and the convergence of networking and security.

Forrester Consulting supplemented this research with custom survey questions asked of 585 APAC decision-makers and influencers of their organization’s cybersecurity solutions. The custom survey began and was completed in March 2026.

“Organizations across APAC are facing a dual challenge, rapidly evolving AI-driven threats and increasing internal complexity. While investment remains strong, many are still struggling to operationalize security effectively. Moving toward integrated, platform-based approaches will be critical to improving visibility, efficiency, and resilience,” said Amelia Lau, Forrester Consulting Project Lead.

The study highlights cybersecurity risks driven by more advanced attackers and increasingly complex environments, and continued investment in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI).

The findings point to a clear shift toward simplifying security architectures, improving operational efficiency, and embedding AI into unified platforms.

It bared that 57 percent of organizations cite AI-driven threats as a top concern, while 54 percent highlight fragmented tools and architectures and overwhelming alert volumes.

Security operations are under pressure, with 50 percent of organizations reporting that alert volume makes it difficult to distinguish real threats, and 48 percent still relying on manual workflows. Cybersecurity maturity remains constrained, with 68 percent of organizations at an intermediate stage and only 16 percent reaching advanced levels.

These findings saw a clear shift as complexity moves beyond an operational challenge to become a core driver of cyber risk. 

Shift to platform-based security gains momentum

Organizations are accelerating their move toward unified, platform-based security architectures. While only 20 percent operate a unified platform today, this is expected to rise to 59 percent over the next 12–24 months, it said.

The shift is being driven by the need to reduce tool sprawl with 58 percent, improve integration, at 52 percent and manage growing hybrid complexity, 49 percent.  Despite these challenges, organizations continue to prioritize improving threat detection at 40 percent and incident response, 39 percent, underscoring the growing gap between security expectations and operational reality.

Findings said that future priorities reflect this transition, with organizations focusing on SOC automation, improved visibility, and platform consolidation to enhance efficiency and scale operations.

However, challenges remain that 51 percent cite migration cost and disruption as barriers and 46 percent remain uncertain about platform capabilities across domains.  Despite these concerns, findings bared that organizations expect to see these benefits through consolidation.

It said that 90 percent of organizations expect improvements in operational metrics, with over 60 percent anticipating gains of at least 10 percent in areas such as detection and response times, analyst productivity, and overall, SOC efficiency.

The findings suggest that platform-based security is becoming an increasingly important operational approach for organizations seeking to reduce complexity and improve efficiency.

“Customers today are dealing with increasingly complex environments, where fragmented tools, limited visibility, and growing alert volumes are making it harder to detect and respond to threats effectively,” according to Bambi Escalante, Country Manager, Fortinet Philippines.

Escalante added that at the same time, these organizations are looking to leverage AI to improve speed and efficiency but often lack the integrated foundation to do so.  

AI Investment surges, but readiness and integration lag

AI is emerging as both a growing threat vector and a critical enabler of defense, 91 percent of organizations plan to increase AI budgets, with over half expecting double-digit growth. More than 60 percent expect AI to improve detection accuracy, accelerate response, and strengthen overall security posture.

Organizations also see AI as key to reducing complexity, with 58 percent expecting consistent policy enforcement, 57 percent centralized control, and 56 percent reduced manual workflows.

However, readiness gaps persist: Fragmented environments, limited automation, and lack of unified data are hindering effective AI adoption and many organizations are still building the foundational capabilities required to operationalize AI at scale.

This underscores that realizing AI’s potential in security operations depends heavily on having integrated environments and unified data foundations in place.

“At Fortinet, we are helping organizations simplify their security architecture and strengthen resilience through a unified, platform-based approach that brings together visibility, automation, and AI-driven intelligence,” Escalante said.

According to Rashish Pandey, VP of Marketing and Communications, APAC, Fortinet, organizations are placing significant expectations on AI to transform security operations, from improving detection to accelerating response. However, AI can only deliver meaningful outcomes when it is built on an integrated foundation.

“Without unified visibility and connected data across environments, AI risks amplifying complexity rather than reducing it. Integration is what enables AI to operate at scale and deliver real security impact,” Pandey said.

PhilHealth YAKAP reaches senior citizens in Madridejos, Cebu

BANTAYAN ISLAND, Cebu — PhilHealth Regional Office (PRO) joined in the National Commission of Senior Citizens’ (NCSC) Caravan of Services and the launch of the Senior Citizens’ Center on May 29, bringing essential health services closer to the elderly community in Madridejos town in Bantayan Island, Cebu.

PhilHealth-7 Acting Regional Vice President (ARVP) Jenet Ann Advincula bared that with 33,287 registered PhilHealth members and dependents in Madridejos as of 2025, PhilHealth continues to strengthen awareness of YAKAP to help residents access preventive healthcare services on the island and maintain their well‑being.

PhilHealth, through the Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO) in Danao City facilitated a Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) Caravan, serving around 350 senior citizens for onsite registration, membership record updating, ID card printing, and assistance on YAKAP Clinic selection, Advincula said.

LHIO Danao personnel, led by Chief Social Insurance Officer Ruhneb Cabiara, made sure that frontline services were readily accessible to elderly residents.  The activity also featured an onsite First Patient Encounter, the mandatory initial health screening and baseline data collection, conducted by the Madridejos Rural Health Unit, an accredited YAKAP Clinic, with support from the Cebu Provincial Health Office and the Department of Health.

 This collaboration allowed senior citizens to immediately begin accessing preventive and primary care services under the program.  Advincula urged senior citizens to register with YAKAP PhilHealth to maximize their PhilHealth benefits.

Madridejos Mayor Romeo Villaceran expressed his appreciation to the participating agencies, including PhilHealth, and emphasized the importance of collective efforts in providing dignity, security, and meaningful services to the town’s elderly population.

The activity also brought together partner government agencies, including the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).

Cebu Provincial Governor Pamela Baricuatro, Fourth District Representative Sun Shimura, Madridejos Mayor Romeo Villaceran, NCSC Regional Director Jocelyn Tabotabo, and members of the Cebu Provincial Board were also present, reflecting a united effort to advance the welfare of senior citizens in the Island.

 

BDO simplifies its banking services with digital innovations

CEBU CITY – Banco De Oro (BDO), celebrating its 50^th year in the banking industry, has simplified its business and banking services with digital innovations and tools that make everyday operations easier and more reliable for the Cebu entrepreneurs.

Cebu remains one of the country’s major growth centers and financial needs today are increasingly interconnected, covering saving, investing, borrowing, payments, business operations, and protection.

In a BDO Business Talk and press briefing, May 26 at its BDO-Cebu Regional hub, Federico Ocampo, Senior VP/Department Head, Trust and Investments Group discussed the impact of the Middle East conflict and the rising gasoline prices on consumer and investment behaviors

“Investment behaviors vary; some opt for time deposits while others hold cash. Looking ahead, confidence may increase investment in government securities and offshore equities,” Ocampo said.

Amid economic challenges, immediate advice includes focusing on short-term safety through high-interest savings. Long-term, consistent investment habits are encouraged, aiming for retirement security. Easy investment products are introduced to facilitate regular saving, he shared.

“Make regular investments a habit, starting from small contributions, to ensure a secure financial future upon retirement,” he said,

BDO designs and launches an automatic investment plan that debits a fixed amount from a customer’s savings or credit card account to build a habit of regular investing, Ocampo emphasized the importance of financial planning and long-term wealth building amidst economic headwinds.

High-interest savings accounts are recommended as a safe haven until conditions stabilize, after which investors can gradually return to more aggressive investment strategies, Ocampo mentioned the introduction of easy investment plans designed to simplify the process of investing for beginners, including options like debt and credit investments.

BDO branch digital transformation

Gayle Christine Go, Vice President and Cebu 1 Area Aead, BDO Branch Banking Group introduced BDO’s efforts to streamline banking operations through digital solutions.  It introduced a service assist machine (SAM) in branches to facilitate digital transactions, eliminating the need for manual forms.

“Additionally, we offer online transaction booking, remote appointment scheduling, and online account opening without manual paperwork.  A new universal teller machine was launched for various transactions, including depositing checks, withdrawing money, updating passbooks, paying bills, and applying for credit cards—all accessible even when the branch is closed.  These initiatives aim to provide a seamless blend of physical and digital services, improving customer convenience and experience,” Go bared.

Grace Caguioa, SVP & unit head for BDO-Cash Management Services (CMS)-SME Segment bared that business owners today are more dynamic and ambitious.  They need digital banking solutions that can keep up with their pace while giving them peace of mind that their finances are in order.

BDO’s CMS for SMEs are designed to streamline key functions such as payroll processing, check disbursements, and cash flow monitoring. These solutions help reduce errors, improve accuracy, and minimize the time spent on administrative work.

“We help Cebu entrepreneurs navigate their digital cash management flow in real time visibility.   Entrepreneurs can instantly see how money moves through their business, spot risks before they become problems, and identify opportunities for growth,” Caquioa said.

Greater visibility also helps reduce uncertainty.  Instead of reacting to financial issues after they happen, they can take a more proactive approach to managing their cash flow, she added.

                          BDO powers Cebu’s thriving businesses

Carlo Nazareno, BDO Senior Vice President and head of Cash Management Services said that growing businesses need systems that keep pace with the times.  As ventures expand, so do the demands behind the scenes: tracking payments, paying employees, and managing suppliers. What once felt simple can become more complex when processes are still manual,

“Every business starts with a hustle.  The first hurdle is to transform that hustle into a scalable business. But when that happens, our clients quickly realize that cash flow management has become one of the most critical and time-consuming parts of operating a business,” Nazareno noted.

Instead of spending hours on paperwork, entrepreneurs can now use digital cash management tools to handle payroll, supplier payments, and cash flow monitoring automatically. Automation frees business owners to focus more on what they do best: serving customers, improving products, and expanding their reach, Nazareno said.

The BDO Business Talk Cebu gathered BDO leaders with Cebu media and discussed business, banking, and economic developments affecting Cebu and the Visayas, focusing on the evolving financial behaviors, digital adoption, business efficiency, investments, protection, and accessibility in the banking industry.

The briefing also tackled topics like Investment planning and wealth-building, SME and enterprise banking needs, Home, auto, and multipurpose financing trends and more.  BDO continues to combine physical banking presence and digital capabilities to serve evolving customer needs of their clients, supporting communities and businesses across Cebu and the Visayas. (Photos: MBCNewman)

PSA-7 warns public against fake National ID

CEBU CITY -- The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-Central Visayas warns the public against the production, sale, possession, and use of fake National IDs, and reminds everyone that the National ID is an official government-issued identification card under the Philippine Identification System or the National ID System.

Wilma Perante, PSA-7 OIC-Director said that only the PSA is authorized to print and issue the National ID. Any individual or group found guilty of unauthorized printing, preparation, or issuance of a National ID can be penalized with imprisonment of three (3) to six (6) years and a fine ranging from Php 1,000,000 to Php 3,000,000 as provided under Republic Act No. 11055 or the Philippine Identification System Act.

The same penalties apply to the falsification, mutilation, alteration, or tampering of the National ID, as well as the possession of a fake, falsified, or altered National ID.

Perante also advises the public to remain vigilant against National ID-related scams involving individuals falsely claiming to be PSA personnel through phone calls, messages, or online platforms.

“Reports indicate that these individuals commonly claim that personal information needs to be verified and instruct registered persons to click suspicious links, download applications, disable security settings, or perform fingerprint verification as part of the supposed process,” Perante added.

Some individuals likewise offer expedited processing, fixing services, or assistance in updating National ID information in exchange for payment, Perante emphasizes that these activities are not authorized by the agency.

Any National ID services, including issuance of National ID in paper format (ePhillD), and updating or correction of demographic information in the National ID system is conducted only through authorized National ID registration centers.

The public is strongly advised not to share personal information, one-time passwords (OTPs), national ID Card Numbers, fingerprints, copies of IDs, or other sensitive information with unverified persons or suspicious online accounts.

Perante likewise reminds relying parties, establishments, institutions, and the public to ensure the proper verification and authentication of presented National IDs through available National ID authentication services, including the use of National ID Check accessible through httpsV/everify.gov.ph/check.

The PSA also encourages the reporting of suspected fake National IDs, scams, or suspicious transactions to the appropriate authorities for proper investigation and action.

For inquiries and assistance related to the National ID, the public is advised to transact only through official PSA and National ID System (PhilSys) channels and authorized National ID registration centers. The list of authorized registration centers may be accessed through the official National ID website at https://philsys.gov.ph/registration-center/.