As chair of this year’s ASEAN, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will join his fellow heads of state from 10 other member-countries of the regional bloc during the leaders’ summit on May 7 and 8.

During an ASEAN press briefing, Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro said the province is prepared to host the leaders and their delegations for the summit.

“We in Cebu, we are ready,” Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro said.

Baricuatro said security preparations are already “80-percent complete,” with enhanced emergency response systems and hospitals on “code blue” alert throughout the summit.

She said rehearsals and dry runs will be conducted prior to the arrival of heads of state and delegates.

Delegations are expected to be concentrated in Lapu-Lapu City, where key summit activities will take place, including meetings at the newly constructed Mactan Expo in Mactan Newtown.

Nagiel Bañacia, head of the Lapu-Lapu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said preparations in the city have been underway since December, including extensive information campaigns and traffic management planning.

Bañacia noted that road closures will be limited to convoy movements and will be reopened immediately after. He added that the two major bridges connecting Lapu-Lapu to mainland Cebu will remain open throughout the summit.

“We understand that daily life must continue even as we host this summit,” he said, adding that 70 to 90 percent of emergency preparedness measures are already in place.

Authorities have also identified key routes from the airport to Mactan resorts, where most delegates will be billeted.

In Cebu City, Mayor Nestor Archival said traffic management plans are in place, with no full-day road closures expected.

“So far, there will be no major road closures, but we are ready if adjustments are needed,” he said, citing coordination with police and traffic management groups. Delegates traveling from the airport to Cebu City are expected to pass through the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway.

In Mandaue City, Mayor Thadeo Ouano Jr. cited ongoing infrastructure upgrades, including road asphalting, improved street lighting, and solar installations along key transit routes. Barangays have also been mobilized for clean-up and repainting efforts.

Ouano said traffic flow will remain uninterrupted, with increased security presence and continuous monitoring during the summit.

The Department of Public Works and Highways reported that preparations for national roads have been completed and urged the public to maintain cleanliness and dispose of waste properly during the event.

Baricuatro expressed gratitude for the opportunity to host the summit and called on Cebu residents to extend a warm welcome to delegates.

“This is a momentous event. Cebu is featured among all the 82 provinces. Cebu has been chosen. That alone will inspire us to do our best, and let’s be hospitable to our guests. If there are delegates, give them a smile. Give them the warmest Cebuano welcome,” she said.

Frasco emphasized that public areas, commercial centers, hotels, and tourism sites not affected by the tremor have been declared safe for visitors. She added that the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) and Cebu’s major ports continue normal operations, ensuring that flights and ferry services remain undisrupted.

“We wish to clarify that here in the northern part of Cebu, relief efforts continue and many tourist sites remain closed. However, other parts of Cebu remain open to tourism. These include Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan, and other areas in the south of the province,” Secretary Frasco told reporters.

She encouraged tourists to coordinate with tour operators and travel agencies for updated advisories. “Again, tuloy po ang turismo dito sa Cebu,” Frasco affirmed, stressing that reliable information and proper coordination are key for a safe and enjoyable visit.

In its latest advisory, the DOT noted that while Cebu remains under a state of calamity, visitors may continue exploring the central and southern parts of the province. Tourists are advised, however, to anticipate possible road closures, limited services, and ongoing inspections in some areas.

Attractions currently open to the public include canyoneering in Badian, island-hopping adventures in Moalboal, and visits to cultural landmarks such as the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Cebu City and the Lapu-Lapu Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City.

Following the September 30 magnitude 6.9 earthquake, Secretary Frasco immediately returned to Cebu, accompanying President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other cabinet officials in conducting inspections. On October 4, she personally visited the hard-hit towns of Medellin and San Remigio, as well as ground zero in Bogo City, where she distributed ₱3,000 in personal financial aid to 50 affected tourism workers.

Frasco reaffirmed the DOT’s commitment to balancing safety and tourism continuity: “We remain vigilant, but we also want to reassure our tourists and tourism workers that Cebu is open and ready to welcome visitors. Tourism plays a vital role in recovery, and Cebu will continue to rise stronger.”

The Philippine hotel industry projects ₱250 billion worth of investment in new developments that will create over 57,000 direct jobs and add a total of 40,084 new room keys to the market.

In their 2024 Philippine Accommodation Pipeline Report, the Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA) and Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC) express optimism and expect substantial growth in the industry.

The report, released during a media conference on Tuesday (Sept. 17) in partnership with Solenergy Systems Inc., tracked 158 planned accommodation establishments to come up with industry observations and insights.

It highlights strong confidence in tourism as the country recovers from the pandemic. It notes the resilience of the hotel sector, with developers increasingly expanding projects across different regions.

Alfred Lay, LPC’s Director for Hotels, Tourism, and Leisure, told THEPHILBIZNEWS that tourism is a vital leg of the Philippine economy.

For instance, while Mindanao is considered “underserved by high-quality accommodation options,” Lay said there’s a prospect to turn it into a business and tourism hub.

“We think that continued economic development there will entice more developers to seek out hotel projects in those regions. There needs to be some branding work there [to be] done by local tourism offices to change people’s minds,” Lay said, noting that safety concerns may be a factor.

Demand sources and diverse market growth

Lay said the country’s main sources of demand are South Korea, Japan, and China, with growing interest from India and Middle Eastern countries.

According to the report, key development areas are Lapu-Lapu City and Panglao Island.

Lapu-Lapu City leads with 4,786 rooms planned across 10 projects, averaging 435 rooms per accommodation. Panglao Island is second with 4,401 rooms across 16 projects, while Boracay ranks third with 3,625 rooms, remaining the top tourist destination in the Philippines.

These developments reflect diverse market growth, as interest increase in upscale and luxury accommodations in tourist hotspots driven by both local and international brands.

In addition to resorts near beaches and casinos, other types of accommodations like condotels, serviced apartments, and branded residences are becoming more popular as market preferences change.

PHOA Executive Director Benito C. Bengzon Jr. said the report provides comprehensive and reliable data, and offers invaluable insights to hotel owners, tourism stakeholders, and government policymakers.

“The report enables them to make informed decisions that would shape the future landscape of our industry,” Bengzon said, as he encouraged more hotel and accommodation providers to participate actively in the initiative.