MCIA soars again with back-to-back global customer experience awards

LAPU-LAPU CITY — Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), operated by Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) Airports, has once again solidified its standing as one of Asia-Pacific’s premier air hubs, securing top honors for customer experience from Airports Council International (ACI).

The Philippines' busiest gateway outside Manila earned dual recognition at the recent ACI Airport Experience Summit 2026 held in Istanbul, Türkiye:

Best Airport in Asia-Pacific (5–15 Million Passengers Category): Marking its second consecutive win in the ACI Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Customer Experience Awards, grounded in passenger evaluations across 50+ airport touchpoints worldwide.

Level 3 Airport Customer Experience Accreditation: Upgraded from Level 2, MCIA becomes the first and only airport in the Philippines to reach Level 3, recognizing its advanced strategy in engaging passengers, staff, and service professionals to enhance the overall travel experience.

"These recognitions affirm our commitment to making every journey through MCIA a positive and meaningful experience. Our investments and improvements at the airport are ultimately about creating better experiences for the public, strengthening connectivity, and helping Cebu and the Philippines capture more opportunities in tourism, trade, and investment,” said Rafael  Aboitiz, AIC Vice President and Head of Airports.

Since assuming management in 2024, AIC Airports has heavily invested in MCIA’s infrastructure, service systems, and digital technology. AIC Airports Chief Executive Officer Athanasios Titonis noted that MCIA’s passenger-first standard will serve as the benchmark as AIC expands operations to Bohol-Panglao International Airport and Laguindingan International Airport.

Present to receive the accolade in Istanbul were MCIA General Manager Ricia Vinelli Montejo and Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority GM & CEO Julius Neri, Jr.

The double distinction underscores the impact of public-private synergy in elevating Philippine infrastructure onto the global stage while driving economic growth across the Visayas and Mindanao. (Photo: MCIA)

Cebu secures historic hosting bid for MICECON 2027

Cebu secures historic hosting bid for MICECON 2027

CEBU CITY — Thirteen years after last hosting the country's premier event industry gathering, Cebu is gearing up to welcome the Philippine Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) Conference back to its shores in 2027.

The official announcement was made on September 8, during the Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) 2026 hosted dinner at the Solaire Resort Entertainment City in Manila, signaling Cebu's comeback as a leading hub for regional business tourism and event innovation.

The winning bid was the culmination of months of intensive preparation and cross-sector collaboration under a unified "One Cebu" campaign. Spearheaded by the Cebu MICE Alliance, the bid brought together key regional stakeholders, including the Department of Tourism Central Visayas (DOT-7), the Hotel Resort & Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc. (HRRACI), the Cebu Alliance of Tour Operation Specialists Inc. (CATOS), local business chambers, and the leadership of the Cebu Provincial Government alongside the tri-cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu.

Josef Chiongbian, Vice President for External Affairs of the Cebu MICE Alliance and General Manager of Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown, emphasized the collaborative effort behind the effort.

“Months of rigorous preparation went into building this proposal, but our greatest strength was bringing our local leaders together. Engaging the Cebu Provincial Government and the Mayors of our tri-cities to unite under one single Cebu bid proves how Cebuanos collaborate and step up to position Cebu as a global powerhouse. This win belongs to the entire community,” Chiongbian said.

As the Philippine MICE industry continues to expand, MICECON 2027 is slated to draw international buyers, event planners, trade delegates, and global tourism leaders. Beyond showcasing the region’s expanding modern infrastructure, convention centers, and hotel capacity, the event aims to highlight Cebu’s cultural heritage and sustainable, regenerative event practices.

Cleofe Albiso, President of the Cebu MICE Alliance, noted that returning the conference to the province marks a significant milestone for the local tourism economy.

"Bringing MICECON back to Cebu after more than a decade is both a milestone and a strong validation of our industry's enduring strength and growth," Albiso stated.

This hosting duty allows the alliance to demonstrate how Cebu harmoniously combines top-tier business infrastructure with deep-rooted cultural experiences and regenerative, forward-thinking event practices, she added.

The arrival of MICECON 2027 is expected to drive substantial economic activity across Cebu’s hospitality, transport, food and beverage, and retail sectors, further bolstering the region's position as a competitive venue for major international conventions in Asia.

Further details regarding event programming, venue selections, and registration timelines will be announced in upcoming official briefings. (Photos: MICE Alliance)

Chiz pushes broader, uniform definition of indigency

CEBU CITY -- When is a teacher "poor"? When is a small business owner "indigent"? For Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, the answer shouldn’t just be about how much you earn every month. It should also be about what life throws at you.

In his weekend podcast “Chiz Wiz! Usapang May Laman,” the veteran lawmaker called for a broader, uniform definition of indigency, one that recognizes that a family can be financially stable one day, and broke the next because of cancer treatment or a P500,000 legal bill.

Right now, Escudero said, the government treats "indigency" as a single box and that box usually means "4Ps beneficiary." But the rules are messy. Barangays issue certificates of indigency under the Local Government Code. The Public Attorney’s Office uses PSA poverty lines. DSWD uses its own targeting system for 4Ps.

The result: families who don’t qualify on paper are turned away, even when they clearly can’t pay. “Ano ba talaga ibig sabihin ng indigency? Meaning 4Ps ka ba?” Escudero asked.  “Ang problema kasi sa batas natin iisa lang ibig sabihin ng indigency. Pero para sa akin iba’t iba ang level ng indigency.”

Escudero wants government to recognize that poverty has different faces. A family with a child undergoing leukemia? They could be classified as “cancer-indigent.”  A couple filing for nullity of marriage facing P200,000 to P500,000 in legal fees? “Litigation-indigent.”

“Pag may nagkasakit sa pamilya mo, tulad ng cancer, cancer-indigent ‘yung pamilya mo,” he said. “Kamukha rin nito magpa-file ka ng nullity of marriage, hindi naman ganon kadaling pulutin ‘yung P200,000 to P500,000 na panggastos diyan, di ba? So, litigation-indigent siya.”

Even teachers and other professionals who earn above minimum wage, he noted, can fall into these categories when hit with extraordinary expenses.

His guest on the podcast, litigation lawyer Maggie Garduque, said it’s doable. The Constitution’s equal protection clause, she explained, allows government to create different classifications as long as they address real needs.

For Escudero, the goal is simple: make legal aid, medical assistance, and other government services reach the people who actually need them, not just those who fit an outdated income cutoff.

“Indigency, therefore, should also be defined by circumstance, and not just income,” he said.

Homegrown hotel group diversifies with co-living as tourism shifts

CEBU CITY — Twelve years after opening its first hotel on reclaimed land in North Reclamation, Cebu-based Bayfront Hotel Group is doubling down on the island — even as travel patterns change and competition intensifies.

The company marked its 12th anniversary on September 7 with three operating brands and plans underway for a fourth property. Executives say the strategy is simple: diversify demand, protect occupancy, and invest when Cebu’s fundamentals make sense.

“Reading the market has always been our play.  The hotel business is about understanding where demand is coming from. There are periods when corporate, leisure, or group segments perform better than others, so we have to remain responsive and position accordingly,” said Charlton Cokaliong, Founder & Managing Director & spokesperson of Bayfront Hotel Cebu.

From One Hotel to Three Concepts

Bayfront opened its flagship in North Reclamation on September 7, 2014. Seven years later, it launched Bayfront Hotel Cebu – Capitol Site on September 7, 2021, tapping government and business traffic near the Capitol. 

Its newest bet is different. Bayfront CoLive+, which opened October 3, 2025, targets longer stays — students, young professionals, and project-based workers who need more than a nightly room but less than a condo lease.

That move reflects a broader shift in Cebu’s accommodation market. While tourism remains a driver, business travel, domestic trips, family visits, and group movements now fill just as many rooms.

“We see different opportunities within the accommodation business,” Cokaliong said. “We are looking at what people need and where we can provide something that makes business sense.”

The economics of an empty room

for Bayfront, the math of hospitality is unforgiving.   “You are investing in a property that has to generate income every day.  You cannot sell yesterday’s empty room tomorrow. That is why understanding demand and maintaining occupancy are very important to the business,” Cokaliong noted. 

To manage that, Bayfront built a deliberately broad customer base instead of relying on one segment. Corporate accounts provide weekday base load.  Domestic tourists and families drive weekends and holidays. Groups smooth out low periods. CoLive+ adds monthly recurring revenue. 

That mix has helped the group keep occupancy stable despite volatility in international arrivals and airline capacity in recent years.

Bullish on Cebu’s Long Game

Despite headwinds in tourism, Bayfront is planning its next hotel. Details are still under wraps, but the company says site selection and concept will follow the same discipline: follow the demand, not the hype.

“We remain positive about Cebu,” Cokaliong said. “There will always be cycles in business. Our approach is to stay disciplined, understand the market and invest when we see the right opportunity.”

Industry analysts note Cebu continues to benefit from multiple demand drivers: a growing BPO and corporate sector, MICE activity, medical tourism, and its role as a gateway to other Visayas and Mindanao destinations. That mix gives local operators more resilience than single-market resort destinations.

As Bayfront enters its 13th year, the group’s anniversary message is less about celebration and more about conviction.

“Understand the market, protect the fundamentals of the business and continue investing in Cebu,” Cokaliong said.

For a homegrown brand that started on North Reclamation, that means building not just hotels, but options — for every kind of traveler, and for every day the rooms need to be sold. (Photos: Bayfront Hotel Group) 

EATOF leaders ink joint declaration to promote East Asia as a unified tourism landscape

MACTAN, Philippines — Regional tourism leaders across East Asia and neighboring countries signed a joint declaration to transform the region's tourism landscape through cross-border cooperation, enhanced connectivity, and sustainable practices.

The accord was finalized during the 19th East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Federation (EATOF) General Assembly held at the Mactan Expo Center, hosted by the Cebu Provincial Government. Rather than competing for international visitors, member provinces agreed to link destinations, share resources, and promote East Asia as a unified, interconnected network.

Addressing delegates in her keynote presentation, "CEBU: The Best of the Island: Where Heritage, Nature, Adventure and Innovation Meet," Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro emphasized the shift toward integrated regional tourism.

"Cebu is not one destination; Cebu is a network of destinations. Technology should not replace the destination. It should help people find it,” Baricuatro said, highlighting the province's initiative to integrate its natural assets—from waterfalls and marine reserves to mountain trails—alongside its vibrant festivals and traditional weaving heritage. She also advocated for digital innovation to boost visitor engagement.

Keynote speaker Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), urged delegates to evolve the current "Super 10" regional member lineup into a cohesive "super alliance."

"Your differences are your strength. You become more powerful together than alone," Hamid remarked, calling on member states to build shared strategies while playfully noting that the "U" in CEBU stands for "unforgettable."

Delegates from member provinces detailed their upcoming infrastructure, sustainable growth, and digital integration plans:  Gangwon State, South Korea, Vice Gov. Shin Weon-chul presented plans leveraging technology and eco-friendly infrastructure to increase average visitor stays.

Sarawak, Malaysia, YB Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim bin Rahman Hamzah outlined initiatives positioning Sarawak as a key gateway connecting Borneo with East Asia.  Cambodia, H.E. Ngouv Sengkak presented smart-city developments, new cultural routes, and digital promotion campaigns.

Mongolia, Buyantogtokh Otgonbayar showcased new travel itineraries connecting Chinggis Khaan International Airport, Zuunmod City, and Töv Province.  Vietnam, Vu Van Dien focused on joint market connectivity, data sharing, sports exchanges, and green tourism initiatives.

Tottori Prefecture, Japan, Suzuki Shunichi promoted hot spring (onsen) attractions, local seafood, and expanded regional flight links.   Luang Prabang, Laos, Bounleua Sinxayvoravong emphasized pairing the reach of the Boten-Vientiane Railway and Luang Prabang International Airport with strict sustainable tourism standards.

EATOF Secretary-General Lee Dong-hee underscored the federation’s broader social mandate, advocating for high-value local tourism models that generate sustainable economic opportunities for youth and grassroots communities.

The session, moderated by Dr. Hoon Lee, Dean of Hanyang University, closed with a commitment to immediately implement joint digital marketing, shared data systems, and cross-destination itineraries across all member provinces. (Photos: Courtesy of Capitol PIO)

Cebu housing summit 2026 to tackle industry challenges that threaten PH growth

CEBU CITY— Faced with a mounting national housing backlog and a chilling effect from global economic uncertainty, the Philippine housing sector is taking direct aim at the key bottlenecks stalling shelter delivery across the country.

The Subdivision and Housing Developers Association-Central Visayas (SHDA-CV) is set to convene its Housing Summit 2026 on September 11 at the Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu, gathering around 150 top executives, industry leaders, and policymakers, the annual conference comes at a critical juncture for real estate developers operating in Cebu and across the nation.

A sector in crisis, described SHDA-CV noting that the Philippine housing development sector remains burdened by a massive backlog estimated at 3.7 million units, a shortage that threatens to widen if systemic issues are not addressed immediately.

In Cebu, a premier urban center and key economic driver in the Visayas, the slowdown is already visible on the ground. Developers report significantly fewer project launches this year compared to previous periods.

While underlying demand for homes remains strong, market sentiment has been dampened by consumer hesitation linked to global economic volatility, including geopolitical tensions and fluctuating fuel prices.

Under the theme “Breaking Barriers, Building Forward: Accelerating Housing Development Through Regulatory Reform, Cost Resilience and Resource Security,” the summit addresses the dual threats crippling project timelines and buyer affordability, prolonged regulatory delays and escalating construction costs.

“We hold the Housing Summit usually every year. This year it’s different because there’s so much going on, especially the crisis,” said SHDA-CV President Ken Salimbangon.

While developers acknowledge the necessity of thorough government evaluations, they caution that lengthy licensing and approval processes keep much-needed housing units trapped in administrative pipelines rather than reaching families on the market.

To tackle these hurdles, Event Chair and SHDA Vice President Ronald Allan Uy highlighted five core focus areas for the conference including fair valuation, local competitiveness, real property valuation and assessment reform act, housing affordability, cost resilience and high-level industry and policy insights.

The summit brings together key government leaders and private sector stalwarts to chart a path forward especially on the subjects of taxation and economic policy with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Region 7 Director Douglas Rufino addressing taxation and regulatory roadblocks, while DEPDev regional directoro Jennifer Bretaña present the regional economic outlook.

Housing market dynamics to be tackled by Cebu Landmasters CEO Franco Soberano and prominent economist Dr. Winston Padojinog to examine local market conditions and shifting buyer trends.

Meanwhile, Megawide CEO Edgar Saavedra will tackle strategies for controlling construction costs to preserve affordability, and urban planning firm Palafox Associates to present sustainable, cost-effective design solutions.  SHDA National President Kerwin Padua was also invited to align regional efforts with national housing strategies.

Rather than serving as a mere talk shop, the 2026 summit aims to yield tangible legislative and policy influence. SHDA-CV plans to aggregate the key insights, regulatory pain points, and recommended reforms generated during the event into a comprehensive position paper.

This document will be submitted directly to national leadership as a unified voice from the housing sector, urging swift government intervention on regulatory streamlining to ensure affordable housing remains accessible to everyday Filipino families. (Photos: SHDA-CV)

CCCI, Slovak Republic open partnership for nuclear energy, smart flood defense systems

CEBU CITY — Heavyweight European tech and clean energy expertise could soon be powering Cebu’s next economic leap, with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) hosted a high-level diplomatic delegation from the Embassy of the Slovak Republic on September 1, opening doors to potential partnerships ranging from next-generation nuclear energy to smart flood defense systems.

Held at the Cebu Chamber Centre, the exploratory dialogue brought together top diplomats, business leaders, industrial stalwarts, and academic heads to chart out how Slovak innovation can support the province’s long-term urban resilience and industrial growth.

Leading the European delegation was Slovak Ambassador to the Philippines Miloš Koterec, accompanied by Economic Diplomat Juraj Pavlis, Consul Vladimir Hodál, and Honorary Consul Antonio Chiu.

At the center of the exchange were cutting-edge solutions aimed at addressing Cebu's key infrastructure and economic challenges. Discussions highlighted several key cooperation targets including clean and reliable energy for potential collaboration on grid reliability and Small Modular Reactor (SMR) clean energy concepts.

Environmental and urban resilience for deploying advanced flood management solutions and decentralized wastewater treatment.  Agricultural innovation for driving research and development initiatives to modernize local agricultural practices; and European funding to navigating access to European Union (EU) development assistance and specialized environmental grant programs.

The delegation showcased Slovakia’s deep industrial expertise in specialized manufacturing, advanced mechanical and automotive supply chains, and clean technology.  Beyond infrastructure, the meeting laid the groundwork for technical cooperation and joint university research, connecting Slovak institutional research with Cebu’s leading academic centers.

The forum drew prominent leaders from the local ecosystem, including CIT-University President Engr. Bernard Villamor, University of the Visayas International Affairs Director Rogie Nichole Aquino, and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Director and Vice President for MSME Development Melanie Ng and other officials of the various Chambers in Cebu.

CCCI President Regan Rex King officially welcomed the diplomatic party alongside Vice President for Chamber Growth Hermie Go, Executive Director Joy Lorena Segismar, and Associate for International Affairs Rogelio Cale III.

While talks remain preliminary, CCCI emphasized that the engagement aligns directly with its mission to link Cebu's business community with global innovators, institutional partners, and international investment sources.

As Cebu positions itself as a premier destination for high-tech industries and sustainable development, partnerships with tech-forward nations like Slovakia could prove vital in driving the region's global competitiveness. (Photos: Google Images)