Mactan Economic Zone to Generate 1,000 New Jobs as Cebu Embraces High-Tech Industries
In a significant boost to Cebu's economy, new locators in the Mactan Economic Zone are projected to create approximately 1,000 jobs, highlighting a renewed wave of investment in the region. This development comes as the Philippines undergoes a structural transformation toward higher-value, technology-driven sectors, moving away from traditional labor-intensive industries.
Fresh Investments Drive Immediate Employment Opportunities
During an interview on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) Director General Tereso Panga announced that recently approved and incoming firms, including Japanese companies like Oakwave and Inventory Management Services Inc., are set to commence operations in Mactan's economic zones. These new entrants are expected to generate immediate employment, with further hiring anticipated as additional locators arrive and existing businesses expand their operations.
Structural Shift from Garments to Advanced Manufacturing
The influx of investments coincides with a broader evolution in the country's manufacturing landscape. Panga noted a gradual departure from low-cost, labor-intensive sectors, such as garments, toward advanced, high-tech industries. This transition was underscored by the recent closure of a Taiwanese sports apparel company in MEZ 2, which resulted in 580 job losses due to a severe shortage of orders, as confirmed by City Public Employment Service Office head Kim Francisco.
Panga explained that traditional segments like garments are losing competitiveness against lower-wage countries, prompting investors to pivot to more sophisticated operations. These new ventures require higher skill levels and deliver greater value-added output, aligning with the government's push for quality jobs and future-ready employment. The direction is now firmly toward industries that foster higher-value activities and more sustainable employment, he emphasized.
Ecozone Expansion to Sustain Investor Interest
To support this shift and maintain investor momentum, Peza is actively expanding its ecozone pipeline in Cebu. The agency plans to develop an additional 20 hectares of land near the Mactan-Cebu International Airport using a sub-developer model, aimed at accelerating the availability of investment-ready sites in a prime location. This expansion is expected to enhance Cebu's status as a key investment hub, offering proximity to an international gateway while meeting the needs of high-tech locators.
In September 2025, Peza highlighted two major projects poised to reshape Cebu's role as an investment destination: the development of a 20-hectare Aerotropolis Ecozone adjacent to the airport, dedicated to aviation-related industries like aircraft maintenance and logistics, and a proposed 50-hectare expansion of MEZ 1 through reclamation along the Mactan Channel. This additional industrial space is envisioned to accommodate export-oriented enterprises, logistics operations, and high-value industries, further solidifying Cebu's position as a premier investment hub in the Visayas.
Positioning Cebu for Future Growth
The combination of job-generating investments, industry upgrading, and strategic zone expansion places Cebu in a strong position to attract more foreign direct investments, particularly from firms seeking to diversify supply chains in Southeast Asia. With new locators driving immediate employment and a clear pivot toward innovation-led industries, Panga stated that Cebu's economic zones are poised to play an increasingly vital role in the country's evolving investment landscape.
