CEBU CITY—The Provincial government of Cebu is hosting a 4-day Cebu International Investment Summit (CIIS) 2026 from January 12 to 15, 2026 at the Capitol Social Hall with more than 200 participants from the local business sector including international delegations from Korea, Singapore, Japan, China, Taiwan, Oman, Saudi Arabia.
“This is Cebu’s flagship global investor summit connecting world capital with real-economy opportunities, designed not just to talk about opportunities, but to convert global interest into structural pipelines, partnerships, and platforms for the next decade,” said Dr. Bryan To, Consultant and one of the Summit speakers.
At the opening session and preliminaries on January 12, Cebu governor Pamela Baricuatro addressed the economic forum, emphasizing the province's untapped potential and the need for better systems and government engagement.
Baricuatro highlighted the administration's commitment to transparency and long-term planning amid recent natural disasters noting Cebu's resilient people as its greatest asset and outlined the province's progress, including clearer rules, predictable processes, and a government ready to partner with investors.
“I’m inviting investors to see Cebu's transformation and invest in its future. Cebu's rise is a result of deliberate choices and preparation,” the governor added.
Dr. To then presented a comprehensive world economic Situational Analysis—for the Philippines and Cebu Province to move forward and create better opportunities. Cebu must lead and shared some interesting bits about Cebuanos’ adaptive and motivated workforce; multilingual community; culture that supports productivity and quality; Service Plus; Culturally Receptive; Innovation and Design; IT/Tech Savvy; Limited SOP; Land Tiny SOP; Business and Tourism Receptive; Government Support to education and healthcare.
Dr. To urged the participants to help Cebu lead and a warm up for all the other speakers for the next three days of the Summit.
Why Cebu? Why is crucial to invest in Cebu?
Paulo Uy, Head of the Provincial Investment and Economic Development presented the “Cebu Investment Strategy Overview” which outlines the Summit focused on Cebu's investment pipeline, emphasizing sectors like infrastructure, manufacturing, tourism, and digital industries.
Key initiatives include the Civil Investment Pipeline, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), and the proposed Investment and Economic Code to streamline investment processes. The Argao Export and Economic Zone was highlighted as a sustainable, multi-sectoral ecosystem, Uy said.
He bared that the province has already received four letters of intent (LOI) and is advancing digitalization. The goal is to facilitate investment, ensure predictability, and foster long-term partnerships, aiming to create a cohesive and efficient investment environment for Cebu.
Ruben Licera, Head of Provincial Special Projects on the other hand, presented “The Cebu Arbitrage. Why Cebu? 5 Realities to Global Investors.”
Licera argues that Cebu, Philippines, has become a high-reward, high-friction investment jurisdiction due to its strategic positioning and fiscal incentives. Despite high energy costs, he said that the 2025 CIP law revision offers a 100% deduction on power expenses, making Cebu competitive with Vietnam and Malaysia.
Cebu's geopolitical advantages include a US-funded fuel storage facility and strategic location in the first island chain. The city also boasts a robust private sector response to natural disasters, a skilled workforce, and world-class air infrastructure, Licera encourages active investors to capitalize on these advantages, highlighting Cebu as a smart hedge against regional risks.
In summary, the Congressman actually declared that Cebu is an investment ready province. He said that Cebu is already a global brand known for its craft and quality products, leading in exports and business industry support.
“The governor emphasizes the importance of partnerships with the private sector to revive Cebu's status and there are key factors attracting foreign investors here, including a workforce of over 2 million, a multidisciplinary workforce, and improved infrastructure, such as an airport capacity increased from 4.5 million to 12.5 million,” Oducado noted.
According to the Congressman, Cebu's port contributes over two billion to the economy, and the province ranks 43rd globally in ease of doing business. Good governance is crucial, he said and with 17 ordinances and 1700 resolutions focusing on transparency and local services, Cebu aims to build a new glory by leveraging its strategic advantages and inviting foreign investment.
Day 1 of the CIIS ended with some guide presentation of the PPP Frameworks, Legal Clarity, “Derisking” investments, bankable PPPs and legal safeguards that was presented by Atty. Aristotle Batuhan. A Governor’s Night capped the day’s event.
For the next three more days, the Summit brings in more speakers with Day 2 focusing on the pillars on “Sustainability, Resilience and Investable Cebu,” “Real Economy and Advanced Manufacturing”, “Talent, Education and HealthCare.”
Day 3 sessions are about market specific opportunities and deal flow. Congressman Oducado will present, “Demystifying the Philippine Red Tape Bureaucracy while five other speakers talk about “Tourism, Lifestyle and the Experience Economy” where food, culture, retail and mixed-use developments, integrated townships, aviation and routes and the provincial government’s tourism policy and destination packaging.
A special government regulation panel will talk on “Regulations and Governance in the Ease of Doing Business” with ARTA, SEC, BOI, DepDev, PEZA, TIEZA as part of the panel discussion, including investor clinics and thematic discussions. Day 4of the Summit is for business matching and investment tours.
In conclusion, Baricuatro said that Cebu offers
a structured pathway to partnership, grounded in governance, clarity and
execution. “This Summit aims to
translate interest into concrete forward movement for investors and partners to
come to Cebu for open engagements and exploration where investors objectives
align with Cebu priorities.” (Photos: MBCNewman)
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