Cebu biz leaders push for power, infrastructure boost

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu’s business leaders are pressing for deeper collaboration with energy providers and sustained infrastructure upgrades to keep the Visayas growth story on track, as power costs and reliability remain central concerns for investors.

Speaking at the “Power Forward Visayas 2026” forum organized by The Freeman and Banat News , and co-presented by Aboitiz Power, industry stakeholders outlined a unified call—expand energy options, lower costs, and accelerate infrastructure development to sustain Cebu’s economic momentum.

Melanie C. Ng, vice president for MSME development at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), said businesses must be equipped to better manage energy consumption while working closely with power suppliers to unlock more competitive pricing structures.

“Companies need to be able to manage their energy costs, but equally important is ensuring that providers offer more options that ultimately bring down power costs for consumers,” she said.

Business groups echoed the need for policy support and long-term planning. Felix Taguiam, past president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said sustained lobbying for infrastructure improvements remains critical to maintaining a “healthy” business environment.

The IT and business process management sector—one of Cebu’s key growth engines—highlighted the broader economic stakes.

Aseem Roy, president of the Cebu IT-BPM Organization (CIB.O), emphasized the industry’s multiplier effect, noting that each job in IT-BPM can generate up to five additional roles across the economy.

“This is a sunshine industry for Cebu,” Roy said, pointing to the need to “get the basics right”—from reliable power to resilient infrastructure—amid emerging disruptions such as artificial intelligence.

“It’s not just a power issue; it’s an infrastructure challenge. Competitiveness and reliability will determine whether we continue to attract investments,” Roy added.

Calls for stronger coordination also came from Mark Anthony Ynoc of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who urged stakeholders to align objectives and deepen collaboration to withstand future economic shocks.

Legal and institutional support will also be key, according to Atty. Emi Parcon of the University of Cebu, who emphasized the importance of continued dialogue and cohesive action across sectors.

Participants also encouraged increased private investment in the energy sector, citing the need for more generation capacity and diversified supply sources as Cebu’s economy expands.

“Cebu is growing, and the Visayas remains an attractive investment destination,” Ynoc noted, adding that sustained capital inflows into power generation would be essential to support the region’s next phase of development.

The forum underpinned a common message—as Cebu positions itself as a regional economic hub, addressing energy affordability and infrastructure gaps will be decisive in sustaining investor confidence and long-term growth.