The Cebu Provincial Government formally opened its three-day Cebu International Investment Summit (CIIS) 2026 on Monday, positioning the province as a player in attracting long-term and global economic partnerships.
Held at the Social Hall of the Cebu Provincial Capitol, the summit carries the theme “Cebu: Asia Pacific’s Economic Epicenter” and marks the first time the province has mounted an investment gathering of this scale.
The event convened a broad mix of local and foreign stakeholders, including business executives, diplomats, and government leaders, to discuss opportunities and reforms shaping Cebu’s economic future.
Foreign delegations from South Korea, Singapore, Japan, China, Taiwan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia joined representatives from the private sector and local government units, making the summit one of the most internationally diverse investment events hosted by the province.
In her opening remarks, Governor Pamela Baricuatro underscored the need for consistency and trust in governance, saying Cebu is moving toward clearer policies and more dependable systems to support investors.
She emphasized that the province is no longer relying on potential alone but is working to align vision, policy, and execution to sustain investor confidence.
“I saw a province rich in talent, location and opportunity but weighed down by uncertainty and even engagement and missed chances,” the governor said.
Baricuatro highlighted Cebu’s strategic advantages, pointing to its skilled workforce, geographic location, and expanding economic base as foundations for growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
She noted that her decision to enter public service stemmed from a belief that Cebu could perform better with stronger coordination and long-term direction, especially in managing development initiatives.
“What was needed was not noise but reset. From the very beginning of this administration, we made a choice. To goven with transparency, to engage with openness and to build systems that outlast personalities,” she noted.
The governor acknowledged that the summit was organized amid challenges, including recent natural disasters that tested the province’s disaster response and recovery mechanisms.
According to Baricuatro, Cebu’s ability to pursue reforms and economic planning while responding to crises reflects the kind of governance environment sought by investors—one that can manage risk without losing focus.
She assured delegates that the provincial government is implementing tangible reforms, including streamlined processes and clearer rules, to make doing business in Cebu more predictable and efficient.
Baricuatro also reiterated that the province’s people remain its strongest asset, describing Cebuanos as resilient, competitive, and capable of meeting global standards.
“This experience taught us something important. If we can plan for long term growth while managing crisis, if we can keep reforms moving while responding to emergencies then we can be trusted to govern through complexity,” she emphasized.
The CIIS 2026 will feature discussions and presentations on priority sectors such as infrastructure, tourism, manufacturing, renewable energy, logistics, technology, and services, aimed at translating dialogue into concrete investment opportunities.
Organizers said the summit is intended to move beyond promotion and toward partnership-building, as Cebu seeks to solidify its role as an emerging economic hub in the Asia-Pacific region. (SBA)
Photo by Kaiser Fuentes
