CEBU – Cebu’s strategic location, robust infrastructure, and exceptional talent base make it a prime destination for high-value industries that can drive inclusive development across the Visayas and beyond, with a strong foundation for growth, Cebu positioned itself to attract future-ready industries.
Cebu’s growing role in shaping the Philippines’ manufacturing and industrial future took center stage at the Cebu Industrial Summit 2025 on October 29 held at the Oakridge Pavilion, hosted by Aboitiz Economic Estates under the theme “Cebu: Powering the Next Wave of Philippine Industry.”
“Cebu’s foundation for the next wave of industrial growth has never been stronger. Its strategic location, robust infrastructure, and exceptional talent base make it a prime destination for high-value, future-ready industries and that Aboitiz Economic Estates is no longer simply a land developer, but a solutions provider, an enabler of enterprise and a partner in nation-building,” said Rafael Fernandez de Mesa, Aboitiz Land President and Aboitiz Economic Estates Head, in his opening message at the Summit.
De Mesa highlighted the transformation of Cebu from a manufacturing hub to a leading advanced production, logistics, and technology center and its strengths in driving industrial growth and to explore collaborative pathways that can position the region at the center of the Philippines’ next industrial era.
De Mesa said that the summit underscored how supportive policies, reliable infrastructure, and a skilled, globally competitive workforce are converging to redefine Cebu’s industrial landscape — strengthened by long-term partnerships between government and private sector enablers like Aboitiz Economic Estates.
“The impact extends beyond economic metrics, shaping communities and creating opportunities for future generations. The economic estates in Cebu have become platforms for progress, fostering collaboration between industry leaders, local enterprises, and government partners,” he noted.
Cebu governor Pam Baricuatro reaffirmed the province’s commitment to building an ecosystem that empowers investors and communities alike, paving the way for inclusive and sustainable growth. “Cebu stands at the dawn of another chapter — one where we rise once again to power the next wave of Philippine industry. Our vision is to build industries that create not only profit but purpose, transforming Cebu into a model of sustainable, inclusive, and human-centered growth.”
PEZA Deputy Director General Maria Veronica Magsino on the other hand, emphasized the continuing reforms under CREATE MORE program which strengthen policy stability and reinforce investor confidence in the country’s economic zones.
Magsino said that PEZA’s ecozones continue to drive national growth, accounting for 54 percent of the country’s exports and over 4,300 operating enterprises nationwide. In Cebu alone, 50 ecozones have generated more than ₱321 billion in investments and over 217,000 jobs — a testament to the province’s resilience and potential as an industrial powerhouse.
“We see ourselves as partners of industry in removing obstacles and enabling growth, by ddressing key issues such as reclamation and real property tax policies, and by improving provincial infrastructure, we are laying the groundwork for more sustainable and investor-friendly industrial development across Cebu.” Durano said.
The Cebu Industrial Summit 2025 reaffirmed that
the province’s strength lies not only in its well-known service and tourism
sectors but in its expanding, innovation-driven industrial base, one that
continues to create meaningful employment and elevate the Philippines’ role in
global manufacturing. Government,
investors and industry working together can unlock the next chapter of Cebu’s
industrial story: one powered by innovation, partnership, and shared prosperity,
Fernandez de Mesa concluded. (Photos: MBCNewman)
No comments:
Post a Comment