𝐂𝐈𝐈𝐒 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬

 

𝐂𝐈𝐈𝐒 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬

The second day of the Cebu International Investment Summit (CIIS) 2026 sustained the strong momentum of its opening, advancing the discussion toward actionable sectors and practical strategies that underscore Cebu’s vision of being a Sustainable, Resilient, and Investable province. Day 2 placed emphasis on execution—how policy, infrastructure, industry, and innovation converge to support long-term economic growth.

The morning sessions featured a distinguished lineup of industry leaders who addressed the fundamental pillars of development. Benedict Uy provided insights into construction management, contractor ecosystem development, and the complexities of delivering large-scale infrastructure projects. Ramon Aboitiz Tuason highlighted the importance of power, utilities, and infrastructure reliability as essential enablers of economic stability and investor confidence.

Discussions continued with Jose Franco Soberano, who explored housing, township development, and workforce accommodation as critical components of sustainable urban growth. Joseph Tan rounded out the morning by examining hospitality, supply chains, and distribution systems—collectively illustrating how Cebu is aligning its physical and economic infrastructure to support inclusive and resilient development.

Dr. Brian To

In the afternoon, the Summit shifted focus to the Real Economy and Advanced Manufacturing, led by Dr. Brian To in Situational Analysis Part II. Dr. To demonstrated how investors can leverage Cebu’s strategic geographic position and emphasized modernization opportunities, including investments in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, artificial intelligence applications, parts manufacturing, and the expansion of micro-manufacturing across various areas of the province. In a light and engaging moment that energized the room, Dr. To even encouraged participants to sing a fun song together—bringing a refreshing sense of unity and enthusiasm to an otherwise data-driven session.

Leslie Lim

Complementing this macro perspective, Leslie Lim shared practical insights drawn from her experience in import logistics, warehousing, and trade facilitation. She identified four core pillars that sustain Cebu’s economy—supply chain, infrastructure, people, and good governance—and concluded with a clear message of confidence: choosing Cebu as an investment destination is a decision that delivers long-term value.

Butch Carungay

Butch Carungay

Butch Carungay followed with a candid discussion on manufacturing execution and business scaling, offering real-world lessons that strongly connected with participants and highlighted the realities of growing enterprises in a competitive environment.

Mayor Democrito “Aljun” Diamante

The day concluded on an inspiring and forward-looking note with Mayor Democrito “Aljun” Diamante, who shared the story of building Tuburan Coffee from a local initiative into a globally competitive, export-ready value chain. His presentation, supported by compelling data and outcomes, demonstrated the significant economic impact of well-structured agricultural and manufacturing ecosystems.

Day 2 of CIIS 2026 reaffirmed a central theme of the Summit: Cebu’s growth trajectory is built on sound strategy, effective execution, and empowered people—positioning the province as a prime destination for meaningful and sustainable long-term investment.

Please FOLLOW Cebu Happenings on Facebook.    

#CIIS2026 #CebuProvince #CebuInvestments #Business #CebuHappenings