World-class convention center to rise in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines — A world-class convention center will rise in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu which could serve as venue for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit to be hosted by the Philippines in 2026.

President Marcos led yesterday the capsule laying ceremony for the P1.5-billion Mactan Expo Center, a two-level stand-alone convention center inside the 30-hectare Mactan Newtown township being developed by Megaworld Corp., a subsidiary of the Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI).

Marcos personally thanked AGI chief executive officer Kevin Tan for acting swiftly when administration officials were considering a venue for the 2026 ASEAN summit.

“This, the story that Kevin told you earlier, is absolutely true. We came back from Jakarta and we were thinking ahead, that we are going to host the ASEAN in (a) few years’ time and that we had to – we have to come up with a good place in which we can host it,” Marcos said in his speech.

“And I did not realize that when he went to the bathroom – he did not really go to the bathroom – but he went to talk to his people already, that’s why it was – it’s always good to work with people like Kevin, who do not waste any time,” the President said.

“And that’s why for me, it is one of the quickest, shall we say, buildup to a major project that we’ve had and, thanks again to the Alliance group and of course, to Megaworld,” he said.

Marcos also thanked the Lapu-Lapu City government for partnering with Megaworld and for setting an example for other localities to follow.

With the President at the event were Tan, Speaker Martin Romualdez, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Lapu-Lapu City lone District Rep. Ma. Cynthia Chan, Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan and Megaworld chief operating officer Lourdes Gutierrez Alfonso.

Marcos said the project would further strengthen Lapu-Lapu City’s position as a major destination for key business events, both local and international.

The first standalone convention center in the province will feature a spacious convention hall capable of accommodating up to 2,500 people in a theater-style setup or 1,600 people for banquets.

The convention hall can be divided into three smaller halls, accommodating approximately 700 to 900 persons each in a theater-style layout and 500 to 600 persons each in a banquet-style layout.

According to Marcos, the Mactan Expo Center is expected to generate more employment and business opportunities to solidify the country’s position as an events destination.

The convention center is also a strategic development, considering its proximity to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport and the world-class resorts and hotel developments on the island, he said.

“There is no better way to end a long day of meetings or conferences than to enjoy the beaches of Mactan, partake of its local food, drinks and delicacies, take a short trip to nearby Cebu City, experience its sights and sounds,” Marcos said.

The Department of Public Works and Highways is funding about P2.9 billion in infrastructure projects in Lapu-Lapu City alone this year, the President said.

These include widening projects, which will significantly decongest traffic along major thoroughfares such as the Mactan Circumferential Road and the Mactan Airport Road, and the Official Development Assistance-assisted Cebu-Mactan 4th Bridge and Lapu-Lapu City Coastal Road.

Marcos earlier issued Administrative Order 17, creating a council to organize the country’s hosting of the ASEAN Summit meetings in 2026.

The ASEAN National Organizing Council, chaired by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, will facilitate the planning, implementation and monitoring of programs, activities and projects for the hosting of the regional meet.

The council has three vice chairs – the foreign affairs secretary for ASEAN political community, the trade secretary for economic community and the social welfare secretary for socio-cultural community.

The Philippines will take over ASEAN chairmanship for 2026 from Myanmar, which is struggling with internal conflict. Manila was supposed to chair the regional bloc and host the annual summit in 2027.