The Central Visayas region has unveiled a massive P1.873-trillion investment portfolio for the 2026–2027 cycle, with the construction of new facilities emerging as the dominant project type seeking national funding.
This substantial lineup was formally presented during the Regional/National Investment Programming (RNIP) dialogue in Pasay City on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, who chairs the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7, led the presentation of the 30 priority projects from Region 7.
Facility Projects Lead Investment Charge
Within the enormous P1.873-trillion proposal, the construction of various buildings and facilities represents the largest share of intended projects. Officials have identified at least 17 such projects spanning multiple sectors.
These include proposals for new schools, hospitals, government headquarters, fire stations, jails, laboratories, and training centers. This diversity makes facility construction the most common infrastructure category endorsed for national financial support under the new plan.
The detailed list of projects was confirmed by Cebu Province Assistant Administrator Aldwin Empaces, who provided a copy to SunStar Cebu on Thursday, November 27. Empaces stated that all 30 priority development proposals have been approved for inclusion in the updated Public Investment Program covering 2023 to 2028.
Bohol Secures Majority of Large-Scale Projects
A significant trend highlighted in the RNIP portfolio is the continued dominance of Bohol in securing endorsements for large-scale, big-ticket projects. According to Empaces, Bohol consistently receives the bulk of the funding, leaving Cebu with a relatively smaller portion.
"For the past three years, roughly for the three years including 2025, we are very lucky if we reach 25 percent of the big-ticket projects. Bohol is always the one given 65 or 75 percent," Empaces revealed.
He provided concrete examples, noting the multiple fire stations and jail facilities proposed for Bohol, while Cebu has only a few major counterparts, such as the construction of the Bogo City Jail.
This allocation means that for the approved endorsements for 2026 and 2027, the majority of the funds are directed toward projects in Bohol.
Streamlined Process and Submission Challenges
Empaces explained one of the primary reasons for Cebu's smaller share: a slower pace in submitting project proposals and completing required feasibility studies through the RDC process.
"We are very slow to submit budget proposals, very slow in doing feasibility studies using the process of the RDC," he admitted, pinpointing a key administrative hurdle.
He also detailed a newly consolidated RNIP process that integrates regional and national project vetting into a single stream. This change, moving from a separate to a unified "region to national" system, aims to improve coordination between local government units (LGUs) and regional line agencies.
Empaces added that national agencies have been instructed to route all projects through the RDC to ensure proper assessment and to validate their importance, following directives from a recent Senate hearing.
The full RNIP portfolio for Central Visayas encompasses projects across five key sectors: Development Administration, Economic Development, Infrastructure, Social Development, and Environment, each containing vital infrastructure components.
