AIC Conversations: Enhancing infrastructure expertise in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC) recently held a two-day symposium and asset tour in Cebu aimed at enhancing the infrastructure investment expertise of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC) executives.

The event, co-hosted by AIC Economic Estates—operators of Mactan Economic Zone 2 (MEZ2) in Lapu-Lapu City and West Cebu Estate (WCE) in Balamban—and Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation, the operator of the award-winning Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), was dubbed “AIC Conversations.” It provided FTSC members with valuable insights into the management and operations of industrial estates and airports.

The program also included regional consultations with local private and public stakeholders from the business and trade sectors, underscoring the role of collaboration in fostering economic development.

“Through initiatives like ‘AIC Conversations,’ we aim to foster meaningful partnerships and showcase the vital role of infrastructure in enabling trade and investments,” said AIC First Vice President and Head of Corporate Affairs Christopher M. Camba. AIC President and CEO Cosette V. Canilao added, “By highlighting the synergy between AIC Economic Estates and MCIA, we demonstrate how AIC continues to drive economic growth and create opportunities for local and global businesses alike.”

The FTSC, comprised of Philippine Trade Representatives and Commercial Attachés stationed in embassies worldwide, plays an important role in promoting the country’s trade and investment interests. It connects Philippine businesses to global markets and strengthens the country’s position in international trade, tourism, and investment arenas.

AIC’s Key Contributions to Economic Growth

AIC’s MEZ2 and WCE serve as vital hubs for economic activity in Cebu. MEZ2 is a 63-hectare Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)-registered mixed-use estate in Lapu-Lapu City, hosting companies engaged in light-to-medium manufacturing, logistics, and packaging.

WCE, a 540-hectare PEZA-registered development in Balamban, is recognized as the “Shipbuilding Capital of the Philippines,” housing a collaboration between the Aboitiz Group and Japan’s Tsuneishi Holdings.

Together, MEZ2 and WCE are home to nearly 60 locators employing approximately 28,000 people, with access to complementary systems such as Mactan EnerZone, Aboitiz Construction, and The Outlets at Pueblo Verde.

Meanwhile, MCIA, a central figure in the region’s accessibility, supports five domestic and 18 international carriers, connecting passengers to 27 local and 14 global destinations. In 2023, it welcomed over 10 million passengers, reflecting the Philippines’ ongoing tourism and economic recovery.

Expanding National Infrastructure

Beyond Cebu, AIC continues to expand its infrastructure footprint nationwide, managing developments like LIMA Estate in Batangas, TARI Estate in Tarlac, Apo Agua in Davao, and Unity Digital Infrastructure. Notably, AIC holds concessions to upgrade, operate, and maintain Laguindingan International Airport in Misamis Oriental and Bohol-Panglao International Airport, with takeovers scheduled for 2025.

These initiatives align with AIC’s mission to develop purpose-driven infrastructure that drives economic growth and uplifts communities, creating a brighter future for businesses and Filipinos alike. — (FREEMAN)