Good design as strategic engine for Cebu’s sustainable growth

CEBU CITY -- For decades, design was often treated as the final, aesthetic polish on a project—the proverbial "cherry on top” but on Friday, July 17, design excellence and business innovation took center stage as architects, engineers, developers, and entrepreneurs gathered at The Studio in Oakridge Business Park for the third annual Good Design, Good Business Summit 2026 hosted by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) as part of Cebu Business Month (CBM) 2026.

Cebu’s business leaders and creative minds gathered at Oakridge Business Park to deliver a sharp counter-narrative that in the modern economy, good design isn't a luxury; it is the engine of survival. The discussion shifted from how things look to how things work.

The summit highlighted how integrated design, digital innovation, and multidisciplinary collaboration serve as vital drivers for resilient enterprises and sustainable communities in a rapidly changing global economy.

From the threat of brain drain to the promise of regenerative architecture, here is how Cebu is plotting its blueprint for a highly competitive, future-ready future.

The tone of the summit was set by CCCI President Regan Rex King, who issued a direct challenge to the architects, engineers, and developers in the room. He argued that technical skill alone is no longer enough to survive in a rapidly evolving global market.

"May we challenge ourselves to design beyond appearance, beyond compliance, and beyond the needs of the present. Technical excellence is essential, but our architects, engineers, designers, and creative professionals must also be equipped to build strong and viable enterprises,” King declared.

King’s message was clear for Cebuano businesses to grow, local creatives must stop thinking of themselves merely as technicians or artists, and start thinking like entrepreneurs and strategic leaders.

This year’s summit challenged traditional definitions of design, urging local professionals to look past mere visual appeal and compliance. Industry experts emphasized that modern design must embrace sustainability, systems thinking, and entrepreneurship to remain competitive.

Tackling the Crucial Issues

The day-long summit at The Studio in Oakridge Business Park didn't shy away from complex, systemic challenges. Four key themes dominated the stage. The Paradox of Filipino talent retention is one of the most pressing panels focused on a quiet crisis facing the local creative industry -- brain drain.

While Filipino designers and architects are celebrated globally for their world-class talent, keeping that talent in Cebu remains a massive hurdle. Panelists debated how to structure local businesses to offer competitive compensation, creative freedom, and sustainable career paths to prevent Cebu's best minds from taking their skills overseas.

Moving away from the architectural cliché of "form follows function," speakers introduced the concept of Form Follows System. In a world defined by climate change and digital transformation, buildings and products can no longer exist in isolation.

They must be designed as part of larger, interconnected digital and physical systems—optimizing energy use, structural resilience, and community impact.

The summit pushed the envelope on green building, moving past basic "sustainability" (which merely seeks to do less harm) toward regenerative design. Speakers showcased how landscape architecture can actively restore local biodiversity, manage water systems naturally, and heal urban environments.

Ultimately, the summit proved that investing in thoughtful, systemic design is directly tied to a company’s bottom line. Whether it is a product package that extends shelf life, an office building designed to lower energy costs, or a business model designed to retain top-tier talent, good design translates to resilient cash flows.

As CBM 2026 organizers concluded, the event solidified a new mantra for the local economy: good design creates better business, and better business builds a stronger Cebu. (Photos: MBCNewman)

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)

 

 

 

 

 

Cebu Business Month 2026, builds momentum for Cebu’s biz sector

CEBU CITY – The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) launched its flagship project, the “Cebu Business Month (CBM) 2026” to build momentum for a more focused and future-ready Cebu with lineup of events to begin on May 22, 2026 and ends on November 25, 2026.

“When we say CBM 2026, we are not simply talking about a series of events on a calendar. We are talking about a movement: an intentional, coordinated, and collective effort to mobilize the full strength of Cebu’s business community toward something far greater than any one of us alone,” shared Bryan Yap, CBM 2026 chair, in his opening message at the press conference and launching event on April 24 at the Savoy Hotel Pavilion at Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City.

Yap bared that despite the uncertainties, CCCI put together a rich calendar of events: from summits on investment, technology, and tourism, to platforms that celebrate our youth, our creativity, and our identity as a city of good design and good business.

CCCI president, Regan Rex King emphasized that CBM is an apolitical organization that focuses on promoting Cebu and the Philippines to foster a thriving society, despite political noise. The organization remains committed to its mission regardless of external distractions.

“CBM has evolved from promoting messages to addressing economic needs, highlighting its adaptability, and we, at the Chamber continues to build Cebu’s business momentum with the “Padayon Cebu” slogan, a statement of humility and unity,” King told Manila Standard in a side interview after the press conference.

CBM 2026 events overview

Yap said that this year’s CBM is the 30^th year and it’s not just about continuing programs, it is about strengthening what already works—and pushing it further where it matters most. CBM 2026 officialy opens with the general membership meeting and induction of new officers and trustees on May 22, 2026 at the Skyhall, SM Seaside City Cebu. This event brings together CCCI members and partners in a unified start to the month-long program ahead.

BAICON 2026, is a major gathering of creators and digital influencers, highlighting the continued growth of the country’s digital entertainment and content economy to be held on May 29-31 at the Mactan Newtown.

Investment and Entrepreneurship Summit, A focused discussion between investors, business leaders, and MSMEs on real opportunities for growth, funding, and collaboration, on June 4, 2026 at the Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu.

Technology and Innovation Forum, A practical look at how emerging technologies, including AI, are being used in real business settings, on June 18 (venue:TBD).  This will be preceded by SOLUTIONFEST, where innovators develop solutions to real challenges in partnership with local government units.

Tourism and MICE Summit, a platform that highlights Cebu as a complete tourism and MICE destination, with a focus on strengthening coordination across the sector, on June 25, venue: TBD. 

July 2-4 usher in Business-in-Golf (BIG) Tournament at the Liloan Golf and Leisure.  This is an annual networking event that brings together business leaders in a more informal setting where relationships are strengthened outside of boardrooms.

Good Design, Good Business Summit follows on July 16-18 at the Oakridge Business Park & select sites. This is a three-day summit showing how design, planning, and infrastructure influence long-term business growth and community development.

A Youth Summit, Business Icons Gallery and Consumer Expo to happen on July 24-25 at the SM Seaside City Cebu, with a gathering that connects young leaders with established business icons, alongside a consumer expo featuring local brands and entrepreneurs.

CBM 2026 ends with the Grand Chamber Awards and Fellowship Night on November 25 (Venue;TBD).  This is a recognition night honoring individuals, families, and organizations that have contributed to Cebu’s business and economic development.

CCCI president Regan King emphasized the importance of collaboration, innovation, and investment in shaping Cebu's future, adding that CBM 2026 is not just an event series, involving various stakeholders like investors, entrepreneurs, and youth, is a movement.

“We acknowledge the significance of the CBM champions and the collective effort to make Cebu more connected, competitive, and compassionate. The event is a declaration of Cebu's proactive stance in shaping its own future,” King said. (Photos: MBCNewman)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EABC-PH chair urges Philippines to step up integration into regional economy

 CEBU CITY — East Asia Business Council (EABC) Philippines Chair Jay Yuvallos urged the country’s business sector to accelerate their integration into the regional economy as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) reshapes trade and supply chains across East Asia.

Yuvallos, speaking at a forum organized by the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), March 18 at Shangrila-The Fort said, the Philippines risks missing opportunities in the world’s largest trading bloc if it continues to approach regional integration with fragmented agenda and short-term thinking.

“This year, our focus at the East Asia Business Council Philippines is reinforcing trust, integration, and sustainability in the East Asian economic architecture.  The Philippines must view regional integration as a long-term national strategy that connects businesses to the wider East Asian economy,” Yuvallos said.

RCEP, which entered into force in 2022, brings together 15 Asia-Pacific economies and represents roughly 30 percent of global GDP, covering a market of around 2.3 billion people. The agreement is widely considered the world’s largest trading bloc and is expected to deepen regional economic integration through trade facilitation, investment flows, and supply chain connectivity.

Among the council’s key initiatives are RCEP awareness programs and business clinics, regional support units for enterprises navigating regional markets, value-chain mapping to accelerate MSME participation in RCEP, digital trade and payment platforms, and a circular economy toolkit aimed at promoting sustainable production systems.  “These initiatives are small steps, but when coordinated, they can create meaningful impact,” Yuvallos added.

Yuvallos pointed to Cebu as a practical example of how regional competitiveness can begin to take shape through ecosystem development and its economic corridors showing how different sectors can work together to build regional competitiveness.

Central Cebu serves as a hub for trade, services, and manufacturing, while other areas support industries such as shipbuilding, logistics, agro-industry, and tourism. The Cebu Investment Center further positions the province as a gateway for investment and business engagement across Asia, Yuvallos said drawing from his experience as Immediate Past President of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

“Cebu’s progress reveals the challenges facing the broader Philippine economy. We must overcome our biggest challenge: fragmentation.  Fragmented agenda, silos, and turf wars slow progress. The enemy is us.  Are we prepared to compete and participate in ASEAN, East Asia, and the wider RCEP economic block?” Yuvallos asked, adding that the need for stronger coordination is particularly urgent as the Philippines prepares to chair ASEAN in 2026.

He noted that neighboring economies such as Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam are aggressively positioning themselves within regional value chains, highlighting the urgency for the Philippines to strengthen its own economic strategy.

The country’s ASEAN chairmanship, he added, presents an opportunity to advance practical regional priorities that can open new opportunities for Filipino industries. The Philippines can push initiatives that create real opportunities for MSMEs, creative industries, and future-facing sectors such as semiconductors and critical minerals, he said.

Yuvallos also highlighted the importance of engaging young Filipinos aged 17 to 22, noting that this cohort will be entering leadership roles by 2036.  Drawing from his conversations with them, he said their responses reflected a sense of uncertainty but underscored the importance of accountability, transparency, and active participation in driving change.

“We must do something for our youth and the future.  Their insights remind us that the future belongs to the prepared, united, and empowered,” Yuvallos emphasized a long-term national vision anchored on the next generation. (Photos: CCCI)

 

 

CCCI’s dual education, training program produces 14 seafood production workers

CEBU CITY – The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) recognized the successful completion of 14 seafood production workers under its Dual Education and Training (DET) program during CCCI’s General Members' Meeting (GMM) on February 27 at the Oakridge Pavilion in Mandaue City, to meet the growing demand for skilled labor in Cebu’s seafood production industry.

These 14 graduates have now earned certification as Certified Seafood Production Workers: a crucial step in addressing the skills gap within the region’s workforce. Through CCCI’s DET program, these graduates help to close the gap by ensuring that they not only gain theoretical knowledge but also develop the practical experience that employers require, said CCCI president Jay Yuvallos.

This milestone marked the conclusion of the recently finished FISH Visayas Project Phase 2, which was implemented under CCCI’s Assessment, Certification, and Accreditation Services (ACAS). The graduates completed 240 hours of intensive classroom learning, followed by 912 hours of hands-on, in-company experience, Yuvallos shared.

Yuvallos bared that the DET Program and the graduates’ certification aligned with the workforce training with the demands of the seafood production sector. In today’s competitive job market, industries like seafood production are facing challenges in finding workers with the precise skills required to succeed.

CCCI recognizes its partner companies: Siargao Bounty Seafoods Corporation, Central Seafoods Inc., HJR International, and Phil Union Frozen Foods Inc.-for their invaluable role in shaping the future of Cebu’s seafood industry.  These companies have not only contributed to the program’s success but also demonstrated a commitment to strengthening the local workforce.

CCCI also thanked its partner academic institutions-- Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology and CITE Institute of Technology by providing top-quality education and training, ensuring that the program’s curriculum aligns with the needs of both the students and the industry.

“Through programs like DET, CCCI continues to champion workforce development and we remain committed to fostering collaboration between the academic sector and industries to provide sustainable solutions to skills mismatches in the labor market,” Yuvallos concluded. (Photos: CCCI)