Cebu city in the global arena

CEBU, Philippines —  Candidates also shared their visions for enhancing Cebu City’s economic competitiveness, job generation, and MSME support.

Garcia outlined a three-pronged development strategy focused on the Heritage District, South Road Properties (SRP), and a proposed Creative District.

Revitalizing the Heritage District, he said, would preserve Cebu’s cultural identity and boost tourism and local commerce. He likened the SRP’s development to that of Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Manila, envisioning it as Cebu’s new central business hub.

He also introduced plans for a Creative District that would serve as a hub for digital creators, including animators, game developers, and artists. Moreover, Garcia proposed making Cebu the nation’s top convention destination.

“I see really the trickle-down effect to the economy. Everybody wants to come to Cebu City, nobody wants to go to Manila. So we should make it the hub or the capital, the conference and the convention capital here in the Philippines,” said Garcia.

Archival, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of Cebu’s BPO and IT sectors.

He recalled the city’s early support for training hubs and collaborations with tech companies, which helped fuel the BPO boom in the 2000s. However, he noted that such partnerships have weakened, resulting in companies relocating.

If elected, Archival pledged to rebuild these partnerships and launch job-readiness programs in collaboration with the private sector. Ruiz placed public safety at the heart of his strategy.

“You cannot market a city that is not peaceful,” he said, vowing to make Cebu the safest city in the country.

He also pointed to tourism, manufacturing, and the service sector as key areas for growth, stressing the need for infrastructure development and reducing bureaucratic red tape for investors and MSMEs.

Rama proposed establishing a government-supported incubation hub for startups and small businesses, modeled after facilities in countries like Singapore.

“I’ve been to Singapore. The government there has its own building for startups. We need the same here in Cebu,” he said.

He emphasized the need to support small businesses “from the ground up” so they can thrive alongside larger enterprises. He also committed to strengthening ties between City Hall and business groups like CCCI to foster sustainable growth.

After the forum, Yuvallos expressed satisfaction with the event and highlighted the importance of leadership that unifies sectors and promotes cooperation among government, business, and civil society.

“We cannot do it alone, and neither can the government,” Yuvallos remarked.

He encouraged the public to elect leaders who understand the need for collaboration and who are ready to work closely with all stakeholders for Cebu’s economic progress.

Yuvallos concluded by underscoring the forum’s role not just in informing voters but also in ensuring long-term accountability. He envisions the forum becoming a platform for continued dialogue, transparency, and performance tracking for elected officials. (CEBU NEWS)