CCCI backs PBBM’s economic agenda, highlights regional growth priorities

CEBU CITY — The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) expressed strong support for the economic priorities outlined in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), emphasizing that key national policy directions align closely with the development goals of Cebu and the broader Visayas region.

In an official statement released following the address, the CCCI welcomed the administration's focus on strengthening governance, economic competitiveness, energy security, infrastructure, and technology-driven industries.

Highlighting governance reforms, the business group here commended the administration's anti-corruption efforts, including investigations into flood control projects that led to the recovery, freezing, or preservation of approximately ₱25 billion.

"For the private sector, greater transparency and accountability in government processes are essential in building investor confidence and ensuring a more predictable business environment," CCCI stated, noting that redirecting recovered funds toward education, healthcare, and food security reinforces national growth.

Energy security emerged as a top concern for the regional economy. The Chamber backed national energy expansion plans—including tracking nearly 10,000 megawatts across 200 power projects through 2028, developing 1,700 MW in storage capacity, extending the Malampaya gas project, and exploring renewable energy, hydrogen, and nuclear power.

"For Cebu and the Visayas, ensuring sufficient and competitively priced electricity remains critical to sustaining manufacturing, tourism, information technology, and other key industries," the Chamber noted. The group also welcomed the proposed “Sariling Kuryente” Act, which seeks to boost household solar and battery adoption to improve energy resilience.

To bolster competitiveness, CCCI highlighted several national initiatives including Tax Relief and Compliance, Investment Facilitation, Infrastructure Accelerations, and AI Readiness.

CCCI applauded tax relief for the middle class and the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) one-time tax abatement initiative for micro-entrepreneurs to ease cash flow and encourage business formalization and noting the facilitation of over ₱6 trillion in investments via the Green Lanes initiative and ongoing free trade agreement expansions.

The Chamber is also supporting right-of-way process reforms to speed up logistics and project completion, alongside proposed updates to the National Building Code, disaster resilience projects like Ligtas Pinoy evacuation centers, and waste-to-energy solutions.

It also welcomed workforce training programs targeting 1.8 million Filipinos for artificial intelligence readiness, positioning Cebu to capture opportunities in advanced manufacturing and digital innovation.

The Chamber emphasized that national policy directives match local strategic blueprints, specifically reinforcing the Metro Cebu Economic Hub, the West Cebu Economic Corridor, the Central Cebu Conservation Corridor, as well as the North and South tourism and agri-industrial corridors.

Looking ahead, CCCI stressed that translating these pledges into reality requires seamless coordination. "Effective implementation, regulatory consistency, and sustained public-private partnership will remain critical in transforming these commitments into inclusive and sustainable economic growth," the statement concluded.