Infra major key to lure more investments
Infrastructure development is seen as a major key to luring more investments to Cebu, amid calls to put up more infrastructure projects here to cope up with its economic growth.
"Infrastructure would have a big help in driving investments," Ellorence Cruz, officer-in-charge at Board of Investments-Cebu, said in an interview.
She said good infrastructure would enable development to spread, particularly the development of seaports and airports which would boost the mobility of people, goods and services.
She noted there is a need for Cebu's less developed areas to step up to lure more investments.
These less developed sites are mostly Cebu's low income municipalities including Ginatilan, Malabuyoc, Pilar, Ronda, Samboan, Tudela, Bantayan, Borbon, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Medellin, Poro, San Francisco, San Remigio, Sogod, Sta. Fe, Tabugon, Tabuelan, Tuburan and Bogo City.
She said local governments of these areas have to identify the strengths of their location, and their opportunities and booming industries.
Cruz also said that infrastructure development in these areas are equally crucial.
These also have to develop an investorfriendly business environment to invite potential investors, she said.
Apart from its outskirt areas, Cebu's metropolitan area has likewise faced critical infrastructure woes, one is the absence of a high-quality and reliable mass transport system, which has caused the worsening traffic in the city.
In fact, Cebu remains way behind its Asian peers due to its poor infrastructure and slow implementation of plans.
In an earlier interview, Kenneth Cobonpue, who now heads the Regional Development Council in Central Visayas, wants to see an improved state of Cebu's infrastructure.
"We're in the golden age of infrastructure in Duterte's administration. We want to make sure Cebu participates fully in this. Because during the past administration, we had a little share of the projects," he had said
"We're in the golden age of infrastructure in Duterte's administration. We want to make sure Cebu participates fully in this. Because during the past administration, we had a little share of the projects," Cobonpue said in an interview.
"Having lived abroad I can see the potential (of Cebu)," he said, noting that becoming a world-class city means that Cebu has to invest more in infrastructure development to unlock its potential.