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Vivant Unit Raises Stake in Puerto Princesa Wastewater Plant Operator to 90%

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Puerto Princesa Water Reclamation and Learning Center, Inc. (PPWRLC), a 2MLD wastewater plant serving as the water systems enhancement infrastructure of Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Vivant Corp’s water unit has lifted its stake in the operator of Puerto Princesa’s sole wastewater and septage treatment facility to 90% after acquiring an additional 45% equity interest, extending the listed Cebu-based group’s push into water and sanitation projects beyond Metro Cebu.

Vivant Hydrocore Holdings Inc (VHHI), under Vivant Infracore Holdings Inc which operates as “Vivant Water,” increased its ownership in Faith Lived Out Visions 2 Ventures Holdings Inc (FLOWs) to 90%, the company said in a Philippine Stock Exchange disclosure.

FLOWs is the private-sector partner of the Puerto Princesa city government in Puerto Princesa Wastewater Reclamation and Learning Center Inc (PPWRLC), the city’s sole wastewater and septage treatment facility. Vivant said the transaction aligns with an operational and management transition at the plant under the new set-up, as it applies its governance standards and operating processes.

PPWRLC, located along Puerto Princesa Bay, has a contracted capacity of 2 million liters per day (MLD) of wastewater treatment and 70 cubic meters per day (CMD) of septage treatment, serving households and businesses in the city. The plant began operations in January 2022, Vivant said.

In its disclosure, Vivant cited a 2025 wastewater treatment efficacy study by University of the Philippines Diliman units, which it said found effluent samples showing up to a 99% reduction in coliform levels. Vivant also said the facility has supported broader bay rehabilitation efforts, including the return of marine species such as dugong and the staging of international triathlons.

“Wastewater management is just as important as water supply in protecting the environment and meeting future needs,” Vivant Water president Jess Garcia said, framing wastewater treatment as part of a “circular system” that recovers resources and protects ecosystems.

Vivant Corp (PSE: VVT), a holding firm with investments across power generation, distribution and retail electricity, has been building out a water platform spanning bulk water supply, wastewater, and potential distribution. In Metro Cebu, Vivant has said its Isla Mactan Cordova Corp project is poised to be the Philippines’ first utility-scale seawater desalination plant, with commercial operations targeted in 2026.

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Cebu business group CCCI appoints Regan Rex King as new president

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Reagan King CCCI
Reagan King

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) said it has elected Regan Rex T. King as its 52nd president, tapping a long-time chamber officer and business executive to lead the group as Cebu’s private sector navigates a more competitive operating environment.

In a statement, the chamber said King brings decades of management experience spanning transportation, automotive, logistics, insurance and security services.

King currently holds senior roles across several firms, including chief operating officer of 6R Mercantile Inc., general manager of RDAK Transport Inc., and managing director of RDAK Global Motors Inc., the chamber said.

Within CCCI, King previously served as a board trustee and held vice presidential posts covering business advocacy and policy, and Cebu business mobilization. He also chaired Cebu Business Month 2024 and led the chamber’s disaster risk reduction and coordination work, according to the statement.

The chamber said it expects King to push “responsible growth,” strengthen policy advocacy, and deepen collaboration across Cebu’s business ecosystem.

Cebu Business News

Aboitiz InfraCapital touts Mactan-Cebu airport as model for Philippine PPP execution

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Aboitiz InfraCapital

Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc (AIC), the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, is positioning Mactan–Cebu International Airport (MCIA) as a showcase for public-private partnership (PPP) execution in the Philippines, saying the project demonstrates how private operators can accelerate upgrades while keeping performance aligned with public service goals.

AIC said MCIA, one of the country’s most prominent airport PPPs, has helped it set benchmarks in operational efficiency and passenger experience, as the group expands its airport footprint beyond Cebu to other provincial gateways.

“Mactan-Cebu International Airport has shown that the PPP model works. It proves that infrastructure development can be accelerated when the government and private sector work together,” said Rafael M. Aboitiz, AIC vice president and head of airports, in a company statement.

He added that stakeholders “can be confident in the value created through this partnership.”

In 2024, Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC) began operating MCIA following a phased acquisition that began in 2022, AIC said.

Under a 25-year concession, ACAC is tasked to develop, operate and maintain the airport under a PPP structure anchored on the country’s Build-Operate-Transfer framework and its implementing rules.

“PPPs are more than just financing. PPPs provide us structure and a way for long-term performance to align with public interest,” said AIC President and Chief Executive Officer Cosette V. Canilao.

AIC pointed to recent service recognitions as evidence of progress at MCIA. It said the airport’s Airports Council International customer experience accreditation was upgraded to Level 3 from Level 2 in January 2026, reflecting refinements in customer experience using passenger feedback and staff-led improvements.

It also said MCIA was named Best Airport at Departures in the 5–15 million passengers category in Asia-Pacific at the 2025 Airports Council International Airport Service Quality Awards.

AIC said MCIA also supported high-volume protocol movements, citing the use of dedicated arrival and departure lanes for ASEAN delegates and cultural welcome activities organised with the Department of Tourism as part of efforts to strengthen the “gateway experience.”

Beyond Cebu, AIC said it is expanding through PPP concessions for Laguindingan International Airport, the primary gateway to Northern Mindanao, and Bohol–Panglao International Airport, a key tourism gateway in Central Visayas.

The group said development and modernisation works at Laguindingan and Bohol–Panglao are set to begin in 2025 over the short- to medium-term under multi-year concession agreements awarded by the government in 2024.

AIC said its airport network is projected to handle around 16 million passengers by end-2025, accounting for over 20% of the country’s passenger traffic, as it rolls out further modernisation projects in partnership with transport and aviation agencies.

Cebu Business News

University of Cebu, DBP Launch Full Scholarship Program for 40 Students

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UC Chairman Atty. Augusto W. Go (center) is flanked by DBP executives, from left: Dorothy Alfa R. Emphasis, senior manager for corporate social responsibility; First VP Zandro Carlos P. Sison; Senior VP Helbert Antoine A. Achay; and Ryan B. Pastrana, Cebu branch head.

University of Cebu (UC) has partnered with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to provide full scholarships and monthly allowances to 40 students from low-income families, as the state-owned lender expands its nationwide education support program.

The scholarships were awarded under DBP’s Integrated Scholastic Program for Inclusive and Responsive Education (INSPIRE), which was formally launched at UC’s main campus in Cebu City on Feb. 19, 2026.

The partnership makes UC the first private university to join the government bank’s scholarship initiative.

DBP allocated about P8 million for the initial batch at UC, drawn from a nationwide INSPIRE fund of around P510 million.

Another 40 scholars will be admitted next academic year and annually thereafter, forming five batches through 2029.

“For private school scholars, DBP covers both tuition and monthly allowance,” said DBP First Vice President Zandro Carlos P. Sison.

“What sets INSPIRE apart is that we continue to support scholars until they take their board examinations, if their course requires one. Each batch is supported for four to five years, depending on the degree program.”

The program currently covers selected four-year courses in engineering and real estate, with national priorities also including science, information technology, accountancy and maritime studies.

Scholars are required only to maintain passing grades to retain the benefits.

Sison said the initiative is designed to expand access to quality education without placing financial obligations on graduates.

“There is no payback requirement,” he said. “If, in the future, some of them choose to serve in DBP through internships or employment, that would be welcome, but it is not mandatory. We are investing in people, not binding them.”

The 40 beneficiaries were selected through a screening and evaluation process and come from families with annual net incomes of P150,000 or below.

Many attended the orientation and contract signing with their parents.

Dr. Leonilo Oliva, UC scholarship head, said the program could be life-changing for students whose ability to finish college often depends on financial support.

“DBP INSPIRE removes that barrier. We only ask our scholars to persevere and pass their subjects,” Oliva said. “With determination and discipline, they can complete their degrees and uplift not only themselves but their families as well.”

UC Chairman Augusto W. Go, meanwhile, urged DBP to consider expanding the program to include Bachelor of Science in Computer Science majors focused on artificial intelligence development.

“As we build engineers and real estate professionals, we must also build digital innovators,” Go said, noting that AI is reshaping industries globally. “This is where the future is headed.”

With 40 more scholars set to be admitted each year, UC said the partnership represents a long-term investment in human capital, aimed at improving access to higher education and strengthening the country’s future workforce.

Cebu Business News

DOT.TV, DYCM Stations Sign Joint Venture Agreement

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A joint venture agreement between Dot.TV and Radio DYCM was formally signed today, marking a significant step toward strengthening broadcast services in Cebu.

Dot.TV, recognized as the first fully digital television network outside Manila, entered into partnership with DYCM 1152 KHz AM and DYCM 100.5 FM in Bogo City, both part of the DYCM network.

The contract signing was led by Maia Martinez and Cebu Provincial Board Member Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, owners of Radio DYCM, together with Juniño Padilla, Chairman and CEO of Dot.TV.

The collaboration aims to enhance news and public affairs programming while expanding reach across radio and digital platforms, further improving service to audiences in Cebu and nearby areas.

Cebu Business News

SM Prime to Add 60,000 Sqm of Office Space in Cebu by 2026

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SM Prime Holdings’ office leasing arm plans to add more than 60,000 square meters of new leasable space in Cebu City by the fourth quarter of 2026, betting on demand from companies expanding outside Metro Manila as Cebu cements its position as the country’s most active regional office market.

The additional supply will come from SM City Cebu Towers, located along A. Soriano Avenue in the North Reclamation Area, SM Offices said.

The project is targeting both traditional corporate occupiers and business process outsourcing (BPO) firms that want in-city locations with strong transport links and access to talent, while avoiding Metro Manila’s higher operating costs and heavier congestion.

“Cebu is a major economic hub because of its strong infrastructure, exceptional talent pool, and complete business ecosystem,” said Alexis L. Ortiga, vice president and head of SM Offices.

Market data underscore the developer’s push. Cebu accounted for 150,000 square meters, or 55% of provincial office take-up in 2025, representing 33% year-on-year growth, according to Leechiu Property Consultants.

SM Offices said the new towers are intended to support that growth by providing “well-managed high-quality and well-connected” workspaces as requirements evolve for occupiers that prioritize operational continuity, employee experience and proximity to amenities.

The development sits within the redeveloped SM City Cebu North Wing complex, which integrates retail facilities and a National University (NU) campus.

SM said the site offers access to the South Road Properties corridor and Mactan-Cebu International Airport, while also being near the port area and government centers—factors that can influence location choices for firms with logistics needs or frequent client-facing activity.

SM Offices also highlighted the adjacency to NU as a potential hiring and training advantage for office locators, allowing firms to build recruitment pipelines and partnerships with graduating students.

NU Cebu officially opened on June 14, 2025, and is the university’s seventh campus outside Metro Manila. The campus operates with 100% local hires, NU said, positioning it as part of a broader push to expand education and employment opportunities in the province without requiring students to relocate.

SM Prime, meanwhile, continues to pursue mixed-use developments that combine offices with residential, retail, education, MICE facilities and leisure spaces. The strategy is designed to create efficiencies for tenants and support employee retention by offering integrated amenities in a single district-style environment, the company said.

Cebu Business News

Cebu Landmasters, Japan’s NTT UD Team Up for Major Metro Manila Development

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Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI) chairman and CEO Jose Soberano III and NTTUD president and CEO Kou Ikeda meet at CLI headquarters Park Centrale in Cebu IT Park, highlighting the expanding partnership between CLI and the NTTUD Group.

Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) is expanding its partnership with Japan’s NTT Urban Development group for a major mixed-use condominium project in Metro Manila, marking the Cebu-based developer’s latest step in building a national footprint beyond its Visayas and Mindanao stronghold.

CLI said it has signed a partnership agreement with NTT UD Asia Pte. Ltd. (NTTUDA), a subsidiary of Japan-based NTT Urban Development Corporation, to develop a multi-tower residential and retail project in Luzon through CLI Luzon Ventures Inc.

The development will be located along a major thoroughfare in Pasig City within the National Capital Region (NCR), and is targeted for launch by end-2026, the company said.

CLI described the project as a multi-phase, Japanese-inspired residential and retail mixed-use condominium development with an eight-tower masterplan. The project will feature efficient space planning, sustainable design, and curated amenities and community areas aimed at improving livability and long-term value.

“This partnership with NTT UD Asia is a defining step in Cebu Landmasters’ growth as a national developer,” said CLI chairman and CEO Jose Soberano III. “Building on the success of our first collaboration in Cebu, this Luzon project reflects the deep trust between our organizations and our shared commitment to quality, discipline, and long-term value.”

NTT Urban Development president and CEO Kou Ikeda said the group is looking to build on its first project with CLI in Cebu and bring its experience from Japan and other overseas markets to Philippine developments that are closely connected to local communities.

The expanded partnership follows CLI’s first international joint venture with the NTT Urban Development group, which produced the two-tower The Wave Towers development in Cebu IT Park in 2024.

For CLI, the Pasig project adds scale to its Luzon expansion at a time when Metro Manila remains the country’s most competitive property market, dominated by large developers and closely watched by buyers for pricing, unit sizes, and access to transport and jobs.

NTT Urban Development is a global real estate developer and a subsidiary of NTT, Inc., one of Japan’s largest conglomerates, with projects spanning residential, office, and mixed-use developments. CLI, founded in 2003, said it has delivered over 132 projects across 18 cities in the Philippines, covering residential, office, hotel, mixed-use and township developments.

The company said the NTT partnership supports CLI’s geographic diversification strategy while bringing Japanese-inspired design and development standards into its NCR portfolio.

Cebu Business News

MOVE IT Targets Commuter Gridlock with ‘Keep Moving’ Initiative

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Rich Manuel, driver engagement lead, MoveIt.

Motorcyle taxi platform MOVE IT is rolling out a new brand promise, “Keep Moving,” as it leans on intelligent routing and in-ride safety technology to position itself as a more reliable option for commuters dealing with heavy traffic in major cities.

The company said the pledge reflects the daily reality of Metro commuters losing hours in congestion, pointing to TomTom’s latest traffic index showing the Philippines among Asia’s most congested markets, with Manila and Davao City again featured in the global city rankings.

“Traffic steals time we never get back. This is time that should have gone to work, family, rest, and building a better life,” MOVE IT General Manager Wayne Jacinto said. “Keep Moving is the confidence that you’ll get there.”

MOVE IT said the promise is backed by platform tools aimed at cutting wait times and improving pick-up accuracy. The app uses GrabMaps and Navigation to provide estimated arrival times, suggest pick-up and drop-off points, and adjust routes based on real-time road conditions.

It also uses “Back-to-Back Bookings” to line up a rider-partner’s next trip before the current ride ends, reducing idle time between bookings, the company said.

On safety, MOVE IT said its in-app Safety Center allows users to add emergency contacts, share trip details, request help, and report issues. A “Share Your Ride” link lets trusted contacts track GPS location in real time.

The company also highlighted “Trip Monitoring,” which uses GPS and telematics to flag risk signals such as unplanned stops, route deviations, crashes, unusual terminations, or extended delays, prompting checks by safety teams.

Another feature, “AudioProtect,” offers opt-in audio recording during rides, with encrypted files accessible only when a safety-related report is filed, it said.

MOVE IT said it continues to reinforce rider screening and training standards. “Our rider community is striving to deliver professional service,” rider-partner and community leader Ronnel Palulan Abastas said at a Cebu media roundtable, citing cleanliness, courtesy and defensive driving.

MOVE IT said it operates across Metro Cebu, including Cebu City, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Cordova, Liloan, Consolacion, Minglanilla and Talisay.

Cebu Business News

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse Grill Opens First Cebu Branch, Targets Visayas Expansion

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Wolfgang’s Steakhouse Grill
Wolfgang’s Steakhouse Grill

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse Grill has opened its first Cebu branch at SM City Cebu, bringing the New York–born steakhouse brand’s signature dry-aged USDA Prime beef to the Visayas as it accelerates its expansion across the Philippines and Asia.

The restaurant opened to the public on Feb. 3, 2026, at the Upper Ground Level, North Wing of SM City Cebu, offering the brand’s “Grill” concept, positioned as a more relaxed, high-end dining format while keeping Wolfgang’s core standards on beef quality and service.

In remarks during the opening, Peter Zwiener, a co-founder of Wolfgang’s Steakhouse, said the group started the concept 22 years ago in New York and built its reputation on USDA Prime beef and an in-house dry-aging process.

He said Wolfgang’s buys beef fresh from US ranches and purveyors, ships it to the Philippines by air freight “chilled” (not frozen), and dry-ages it on-site for 28 days to improve tenderness and add an “earthy” flavor.

Lydia D’Amato – Co-founder & Vice President of Operation, Wolfgang’s International, and Peter Zwiener – President & Co-founder of Wolfgang’s Steakhouse International during the opening of the restaurant’s first-ever location in Cebu.

Zwiener added that the group focuses on USDA Prime Black Angus, a limited category he said accounts for about 2% of US beef production.

“The concept is all based upon USDA dry-aged beef,” Zwiener said. “We buy all our beef fresh… directly from the ranchers and the purveyors in the United States, and we fly directly here to the Philippines,” he added.

The Cebu opening is part of a broader push into the Visayas. The company said it is also expanding its footprint in the region, with a presence in Iloilo this month.

Zwiener said the Cebu branch is the brand’s second in the Visayas after Boracay, and that an Iloilo location was nearing completion and expected to open soon.

Zwiener said the group does not operate as a franchise model, describing its international rollout as a joint-venture partnership where the company retains an equity stake and stays closely involved in menu standards and operations to ensure the same recipes and experience across markets.

Cebu Business News

Guam Visitors Bureau, Philippine Airlines Deliver Aid to Cebu After Disasters

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Guam Visitors Bureau

The Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) and Philippine Airlines (PAL) have delivered 500 bags of essential supplies to support recovery efforts in Cebu following recent natural disasters, as the two sides deepen ties between Guam and the central Philippine province.

PAL said the support was facilitated through its corporate social responsibility arm, the PAL Foundation, including assistance in transporting donated goods. GVB said the relief initiative reflected longstanding cultural links between Guam and the Philippines and a commitment to humanitarian support across the region.

“It’s always important to remain connected with our brothers and sisters all over the Philippines, but specifically in Cebu, following this devastating incident,” GVB President Régine Biscoe Lee said, adding that the bureau aimed to strengthen ties with communities in the Visayas.

Lee said GVB would be guided by CHamoru values including inafa’maolek (making things good), geftao (generosity) and respetu (respect), describing the effort as an example of Guam’s “cultural and familial connections” with the Philippines.

Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero said Guam would continue to stand with the Philippines during crises, citing deep historical ties and long-running people-to-people links.

“This will not be the first time that we have assisted the Philippines, and it won’t be the last,” she said, adding that support between the two communities had been mutual over time.

The relief effort comes as PAL expands air links between Guam and the Philippines. PAL launched nonstop Cebu-Guam flights in December 2025, offering three services a week, a move Guam tourism officials have said would strengthen partnerships and visitor flows between the two destinations.

Cebu Business News

Aboitiz InfraCapital Airports Log 16.2m Passengers in 2025

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Aboitiz Infra

Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc (AIC) said passenger arrivals across its three Philippine airports reached 16.17 million in 2025, as demand for air travel rose in the Visayas and Northern Mindanao regions.

The infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group said Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) handled 11.6 million passengers last year, up almost 3% from 11.3 million in 2024. Laguindingan International Airport (LIA) recorded 2.35 million passengers, while Bohol-Panglao International Airport (BPIA) logged 2.22 million, AIC said.

AIC took over operations of LIA and BPIA in 2025, with the handovers completed in April and June, respectively. Covering only the period after the handovers, LIA recorded 1.6 million passengers and BPIA posted 1.07 million, the company said.

“2025 has been a landmark year for our airports as we continued to expand connectivity for both domestic and international travelers,” AIC Vice President and Head of Airports Rafael M. Aboitiz said in a statement.

AIC said the higher passenger volume supported tourism, business travel and regional economic activity, despite disruptions from natural disasters that hit parts of the Visayas-Mindanao corridor last year, including earthquakes in Cebu and Davao Oriental and typhoons that affected Western Visayas.

MCIA, the Philippines’ busiest airport outside the capital Manila, added new nonstop routes in 2025, including services to Siquijor via Sunlight Air and San Vicente, Palawan via Cebu Pacific, AIC said.

The company also rolled out connectivity initiatives at MCIA, including an air-to-air transfer service aimed at shortening connection times between international and domestic flights, an air-to-sea transfer option linking the airport to Mactan Wharf for nearby island travel, and a facilitation kiosk designed to support overseas Filipino workers and position Cebu as a key OFW gateway.

AIC said MCIA is served by 20 airlines operating 13 international routes, making it an alternative departure point for travelers from Northern Mindanao via Laguindingan.

Cebu Business News

J.CO Launches Premium Reserve Café Concept in Cebu City

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Arianne Abella
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J.Co Cebu City

J.CO Donuts & Coffee said it has opened a J.CO Reserve concept store in Cebu City, rolling out a premium café format that puts greater emphasis on specialty coffee brewing and curated dining offerings.

The company said the new outlet, located at Ayala Terraces Cebu, is designed to deliver an “elevated” coffee experience while retaining J.CO’s core donuts-and-coffee menu.

The store features reserve-exclusive coffee blends, artisanal selections and interiors positioned as a more upscale setting for customers, Dyann Teo-Lim, marketing manager of J.CO Philippines, said in a statement.

The opening was held during the Sinulog season, with guests welcomed by a dance performance from the Sandiego Dancers, J.CO said.

The event included a talk led by coffee expert Micoi Aguilar covering bean sourcing and roast profiles, followed by live brewing demonstrations featuring pour-over, French press, siphon and espresso-based methods, it added.

Jericho E. Eva, assistant marketing manager for J.CO Reserve, presented menu items exclusive to the Reserve format, the company said, adding that the launch also featured interactive activities, games and customer engagement sessions.

J.CO entered the Philippine market in 2012 and now operates 84 stores nationwide, including six in Cebu, it said.

Cebu Business News

Nakakalocal Year 4 Draws Cebu Chamber Support for MSME Growth

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The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) backed the fourth edition of the “Nakakalocal” advocacy bazaar at SM Seaside City Cebu, underscoring its push to expand market access and collaboration for Filipino micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Organised by PhilSTAR Media Group in partnership with SM Seaside City Cebu, Nakakalocal Year 4 is being held at the mall’s Mountain Wing Atrium under the theme “Come Together,” bringing local brands, creatives and enterprises together to connect with consumers and potential partners, the organisers said.

The bazaar features 18 exhibitors from Cebu and Palawan selling products ranging from handicrafts and fashion accessories to local delicacies including kakanin and pasalubong.

Felix Taguiam, a past CCCI president and PCCI regional governor for Central Visayas, represented the chamber at the opening programme and said platforms like Nakakalocal help entrepreneurs turn ideas into opportunities, aligning with the event’s “Love Local, Grow Global” advocacy.

Nakakalocal Year 4 runs until Feb. 18, 2026, the organisers said.

Cebu Business News

End-to-end logistics gives Cebu an edge in attracting investment, says LDL Group CEO Leslie D. Lim

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Leslie D. Lim, LDL Group’s chief executive officer. Photo from Cebu Provincial Government.

Cebu is pitching its fast-growing, end-to-end logistics network as a competitive edge to win new investment, with LDL Group of Companies CEO Leslie D. Lim saying on Tuesday that the province’s increasingly integrated ports, airport, trucking and warehousing ecosystem is making it a “deliberate choice” for businesses expanding beyond Metro Manila.

Lim told the Cebu International Investments Summit that the province’s appeal goes beyond its role as a commercial and tourism hub, citing end-to-end logistics capabilities that help businesses move goods across the Visayas and Mindanao and into international markets.

“Logistics is no longer just a support function. It is a strategic advantage,” Lim said, adding that investors now prioritize locations with reliable supply chains, predictable regulations and modern infrastructure.

Cebu’s central location, extensive road network and inter-island connectivity position it as a natural distribution hub, she said, pointing to its major seaports, including Cebu International Port and Cebu South Harbor, as well as the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, which handles both passenger and cargo traffic.

Lim said Cebu also benefits from a dense network of logistics service providers such as freight forwarders, customs brokers, bonded warehouses and more than a hundred registered trucking firms with thousands of vehicles supporting island-wide distribution. The ecosystem enables manufacturers and traders to shorten delivery times and reduce costs, she said.

Economic zones across the province further strengthen Cebu’s appeal by offering tax incentives and streamlined procedures for exporters and manufacturers, Lim added, with zones employing hundreds of thousands of workers across industries ranging from electronics and garments to shipbuilding and food processing.

She also highlighted improvements in trade facilitation and digitalisation, particularly in customs and regulatory processes, citing a shift toward electronic documentation and fewer manual procedures that has helped speed up cargo clearance and improve transparency.

Bureaucratic processes have improved in recent years, Lim said, adding that the current administration has intensified efforts to cut red tape. “For me, there’s no red tape, only red carpet service,” she said.

Cebu’s skilled workforce, strong English proficiency and supportive local governments have also underpinned investor confidence, Lim said.

“With the right mix of infrastructure, services and governance, Cebu is no longer just an option for investors,” she said. “It has become a deliberate choice.”

Cebu Business News

New digital media venture DotTV Network debuts in Cebu

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Juniño Padilla officially soft-launches DotTV, a new digital media venture in Cebu.

A new Cebu-based digital media platform, DotTV Network, has formally entered the local media scene following the soft launch of its operations, marking another addition to the city’s growing digital media ecosystem.

The network, a member of the Philippine Press Club, held a low-key launch event attended by veteran Cebu journalists, broadcasters and media commentators.

Organisers said the gathering underscored DotTV’s intent to anchor its operations on established journalistic standards while embracing a digital-first distribution model.

Chairman Niño Padilla said DotTV was founded with the aim of contributing to national rebuilding at a time when public discourse has been strained by political divisions, governance issues and declining trust in institutions.

He called on media practitioners joining the network to use their platforms responsibly and to help foster constructive dialogue.

Padilla is a multi-awarded broadcast journalist whose career spans management roles at Cebu radio station DYRC, work as a program handler at DZRH, and a previous appointment at Malacañang under the Presidential Communications Office.

DotTV Network plans to operate as a digital-first media outlet, reflecting shifts in audience behaviour and the growing influence of online platforms in shaping public opinion.

While the network has yet to release details of its programming slate, it said its content will focus on public affairs, commentary and community-centered discussions.

The launch adds to Cebu’s emergence as a regional hub for media and content ventures outside Metro Manila, supported by a strong talent pool and increasing demand for locally grounded, digitally delivered news and commentary.

Cebu Business News

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