Cebu Business Leaders Project Revenue Growth Despite 2025 Calamities, Survey Shows
CEBU'S business community is demonstrating remarkable resilience and optimism, with a majority of chief executives forecasting revenue growth in the aftermath of significant natural disasters that struck the province last year. According to the Cebu CEO Survey 2026, conducted by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with PwC Philippines, 84 percent of Cebu-based CEOs anticipate their companies' revenues will increase over the next 12 months. This optimism climbs even higher to 87 percent when looking at a three-year horizon.
Disaster Recovery Fuels Optimism
Cebu province faced two major calamities in quick succession in late 2025: a magnitude 6.9 earthquake on September 30 and Typhoon Tino on November 4. Despite these challenges, the private sector's determination to recover is driving a positive economic outlook. CCCI president Jay Yuvallos emphasized that this upbeat perspective reflects a collective resolve to emerge stronger. "Our business leaders want a stronger and more resilient Cebu to emerge from a calamitous year. We aim to drive growth that redounds to our fellow Sugbuanons and the rest of Central Visayas," Yuvallos stated.
The industry-wide outlook mirrors this confidence, with 84 percent of respondents expecting growth in their respective sectors in the coming year, even as global business sentiment remains subdued. Roderick Danao, chairman and senior partner at Isla Lipana & Co./PwC Philippines, noted that Cebu's resilience is anchored on its strengths in tourism, infrastructure, and the expanding IT and business process management sector. "Cebu CEOs uphold a buoyant outlook as the wider Visayas pursues tourism recovery, accelerates infrastructure, and deepens its niche in the IT and BPM sectors," Danao explained.
Mixed Views on Ease of Doing Business
While growth sentiment remains strong, the survey reveals moderate satisfaction with certain government transactions. Only 34 percent of respondents expressed satisfaction with securing business permits, and 33 percent reported satisfactory experiences in vehicle registration. Executives called for more transparent decision-making processes, more professional conduct from government representatives, and streamlined documentary requirements.
Among government agencies, the Department of Trade and Industry received the highest satisfaction rating at 50 percent, followed by the Securities and Exchange Commission at 39 percent, and the Social Security System at 36 percent. Respondents identified the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Bureau of Internal Revenue as agencies requiring significant improvements to enhance Cebu's overall business environment.
Sustainability Gains Traction
Sustainability initiatives are maturing among Cebu firms, with 96 percent of surveyed CEOs reporting the implementation of sustainable practices. Most efforts focus on resource efficiency and cost management, including reduced energy consumption (80 percent), recycling and reuse of materials (76 percent), and improved waste collection systems (51 percent).
However, only 52 percent of companies measure the financial impact of these initiatives. Among those that do, 95 percent use cost reduction or savings as their primary metric. Financial constraints, particularly high upfront investments and transition costs, remain the top barrier to deeper integration of sustainability strategies.
Public-Private Collaboration Push
CCCI Treasurer and Trustee Aldie Garcia, who also serves as vice chairman and assurance managing partner at PwC Philippines, stressed that Cebu's competitiveness hinges on stronger public-private collaboration. "For Cebu to be truly competitive, government institutions must be strengthened so that they can transform regulations and policy directions from barriers into enablers," Garcia said.
The Cebu CEO Survey 2026 was conducted from January 10 to February 11, 2026, covering 107 business leaders across sectors such as infrastructure, real estate, wholesale distribution, and technology. About 62 percent of respondents were CEOs and presidents, while 39 percent represented medium-sized enterprises with assets ranging from P15 million to P100 million.
The findings underscore Cebu's push to rebuild and expand, with business leaders positioning recovery, digital transformation, and sustainable growth as top priorities for the year ahead. This collective effort aims to not only overcome past adversities but also to foster a more robust and resilient economic landscape for the future.
