The Cebu Provincial Government has officially set in motion a major economic pivot with the launch of the Cebu International Investments Summit (CIIS) 2026. The invitation-only event, unveiled on December 18, 2025, aims to fundamentally reposition the province's economic landscape.
A Strategic Shift for Cebu's Future
During a press conference at the Cebu Provincial Capitol on December 19, focal person Paulo Uy outlined the summit's core mission: to steer Cebu away from its heavy reliance on tourism and toward a more diversified foundation built on industry, technology, and large-scale investments. This strategic move is also seen as a way to accelerate recovery from recent calamities.
The summit itself is scheduled for January 12 to 14, 2026. It will feature conferences and business-matching sessions designed to attract between 200 to 250 investors and speakers. Global strategist Dr. Brian To and One Tahanan Party-list Representative Nathaniel Oducado joined Uy in leading the launch.
"This is not a money-making event," emphasized Dr. Brian To. "This is about attracting investors to Cebu." Uy confirmed that participation is free but strictly by invitation, underscoring that the CIIS is focused on strategic positioning, not profit.
Targeting Investors and Tackling Challenges
The province is specifically courting delegations from key markets deemed compatible with its new direction, including South Korea, Singapore, Japan, China, Taiwan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. Uy cited vulnerabilities from infrastructure gaps and rising costs as reasons for the deliberate shift from a tourism-led model.
Cebu's new vision frames it as a triple-threat destination: a heavy industry hub, a BPO and IT center, and a lifestyle and leisure destination with enhanced tourism retention. However, officials openly acknowledged significant hurdles that must be cleared to attract investment.
Major concerns identified include:
- Reliable power supply and water resources
- Infrastructure and technology systems
- Bureaucracy and ease of doing business
- Political interference
Traffic congestion and road conditions were highlighted as particular deterrents. Uy pointed to long-term solutions like the Metro Cebu Expressway and developing ecozones outside the metropolitan area.
Focus Industries and Legislative Support
The summit will spotlight several promising sectors. Dr. To expressed interest in defense-related industries, shipping, data management, and differentiated education. Representative Oducado noted Congress's focus on defense technology with civilian applications and the potential for ship recycling, especially after the Philippines ratified relevant international conventions.
A critical part of the strategy involves LGU-driven economic zones. Uy stressed that local governments must proactively create investor-ready areas, with sites in places like Argao under study. Oducado emphasized the need for legislative coordination with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza), while Uy highlighted aligning ecozones with local Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs).
On other fronts, Uy noted that healthcare upgrades across 16 province-run hospitals are ongoing. For agriculture, the province is working with national agencies to develop government-owned land into an agricultural hub to boost food security. Oducado suggested Cebu could learn from Vietnam and Thailand in industrializing agriculture, pointing to the thriving seaweed export industry.
The Road Beyond the Summit
While confidence in the CIIS 2026 is high, officials admit that real investor interest will hinge on post-summit action. Infrastructure development, regulatory reforms, and tangible ecozone progress will be the true tests.
Uy said the province is coordinating with national agencies on tax incentives, and Oducado assured that Congress has enacted policies to reduce bureaucratic uncertainty. Whether these commitments will materialize into concrete investments remains to be seen, with the answer unfolding well after the three-day summit concludes.
