With Cebu’s economy on a powerful upswing, Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc., (AIC), the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, is doubling down on its commitment to help shape the province’s future along with the rest of the private sector through bold, transformative, and collaborative infrastructure that help fill current gaps.
This was the message of Cosette V. Canilao, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC), the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, at the Cebu Business Investment Forum 2025, organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry last July 9, 2025 as part of Cebu Business Month 2025.
“Cebu is surging ahead,” Canilao said during the forum’s “Infrastructure Investments Driving Progress: Is Cebu Ready?” panel, describing the next years as “what could be the most transformative decade for Cebu.”
“We believe infrastructure is not just a physical enabler, but a foundation for inclusive growth. We must invest now—intelligently and collaboratively—so Cebu can lead as a resilient, connected, and competitive region,” Canilao added.
Canilao was joined in the panel by Duros Group of Companies Chairman Rafaelito A. Barino and Vivant Corp. CEO and Director Arlo Sarmiento, with The Camden Trading Group Vice President Gretchen Choa moderating.
“With a ₱1.01 trillion GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in 2023, Cebu accounts for nearly 75% of Central Visayas’ output. The drivers? Tourism, manufacturing, IT-BPM (Information Technology-Business Process Management), and real estate. Tourist arrivals topped 3 million in 2024, and the IT-BPM sector employs 15% of the national workforce. Population is expected to reach 3.8 million by 2030,” Canilao noted.
ABOITIZ INFRACAPITAL BACKS URGENT INFRA PUSH FOR CEBU. (From left) Aboitiz InfraCapital President & CEO Cosette V. Canilao, Duros Group of Companies Chairman Rafaelito A. Barino, Vivant Corp. CEO and Director Arlo Sarmiento, and The Camden Trading Group Vice President Gretchen Choa discuss critical infrastructure topics at the Cebu Investment Forum 2025, organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry last July 9, 2025 as part of Cebu Business Month 2025.
Canilao spotlighted a model infrastructure public-private partnership (PPP) in Cebu that has helped address gaps: the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), the country’s first successful airport PPP project. Fully operated by Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation since 2024, MCIA has delivered real economic impact through improved capacity, connectivity, and job creation.
Recently, MCIA was named by Asia-Pacific’s Best Airport in the 5 to 15 Million Passengers Per Annum Category by Airports Council International, and the 7th Most Improved Airport in the World for 2025 by international consultancy Skytrax, acknowledging MCIA’s significant upgrades in passenger experience, infrastructure, and service excellence.
In 2024, MCIA welcomed 11.3 million passengers, a 13% increase compared to the previous year. This growth was driven by both domestic and international traffic as more passengers took to the skies last year.
Completing AIC’s transformative infrastructure ecosystem in Cebu are AIC Economic Estates MEZ2 Estate in Lapu-Lapu City, and West Cebu Estate (WCE) in Balamban, Cebu.
The 63-hectare MEZ2 Estate hosts 44 locators and 14,000 employees. Strategically located a few minutes away from MCIA, MEZ2 Estate features a self-sufficient industrial-anchored estate with dedicated utility stations.
Meanwhile, the 540-hectare West Cebu Estate, dubbed the Shipbuilding Capital of the Philippines, hosts 17 global enterprises and employs over 14,000 skilled Filipinos across medium to heavy industries. WCE was recognized as Asia’s Best Industrial Development at the 18th Asia PropertyGuru Property Awards.
MEZ2 and West Cebu Estates are the first 5-Star BERDE (Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence)-District Certified developments in Visayas and Mindanao, setting a new benchmark for sustainable industrial developments in the Philippines.
