The declaration also recognizes the township's contribution to the city's meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) industry and broader economic development through its offices, hotels, retail establishments and other businesses that support employment, livelihoods and entrepreneurship.
This is contained in Executive Order 2026-072 dated Oct. 5, signed by Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ma. Cynthia Chan, recognizing the township’s role in attracting investments, generating employment, promoting cultural activities and strengthening Lapu-Lapu City's position as a major tourism and business destination.
The declaration recognizes the township’s contribution to the city's meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) industry and broader economic development through the establishment of offices, hotels, retail establishments and other businesses that support employment, livelihoods and entrepreneurship.
The EO also cited the township's role as a venue for festivals, exhibitions, conferences and other events that attract visitors and stimulate local economic activity.
“The continued development of The Mactan Newtown has contributed to the growth of business and investment activity in Lapu-Lapu City through the establishment of offices, hotels, commercial and retail establishments, tourism facilities, and other enterprises within the township,” the EO read.
“The city government finds it appropriate to designate The Mactan Newtown as the Tourism, Culture, and Investment Capital of Lapu-Lapu City, and to encourage its continuing contribution to the City's tourism, cultural, and economic development,” it added.
Vision
Megaworld president and CEO Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso welcomed the declaration, saying it affirmed the company's vision of developing an integrated township that combines tourism, culture and investment.
“This recognition affirms our continuing vision for The Mactan Newtown as an integrated township that demonstrates how tourism, culture, and investments can come together to unlock a city's potential, create more opportunities for its people, and strengthen its position as a destination for both visitors and businesses,” she said.
Gutierrez-Alfonso said the company remains committed to developing the township as a destination that would generate long-term economic benefits for Lapu-Lapu City.
Megaworld has invested about P30 billion in the township, located on Mactan Island.
About 60 percent of the development has been completed, including residential condominiums, office spaces, hotels, commercial establishments, and tourism and recreational facilities.
MICE destination
The township is also home to Mactan Expo, Cebu’s first stand-alone convention center with beach access, which hosted Southeast Asian leaders and thousands of delegates during the 48th ASEAN Summit earlier this year.
The facility strengthens Lapu-Lapu City’s competitiveness as a meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) destination, helping attract business events and tourism-related investments.
The township also houses Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown and Mercure Mactan Cebu, which together offer more than 1,000 hotel rooms, according to Megaworld. Other attractions include Mactan Newtown Beach and the upcoming Mactan World Museum, which is expected to showcase Cebu’s rich history and cultural heritage, further enhancing the township’s cultural appeal.
The development has also hosted tourism-related events and activities, including the Cebu Mangoes Festival, Ironman 70.3 Mactan and Cebu Lechon Festival.
Beyond tourism, Megaworld said the township continues to attract commercial investments, including two dining concepts associated with British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay: Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips and Gordon Ramsay Street Burger.
Collaboration
Under the executive order, concerned city government departments and offices are directed to coordinate with Megaworld, The Mactan Newtown, tourism and business establishments, cultural and educational institutions, community organizations and other stakeholders to develop programs consistent with the declaration.
These initiatives include promoting tourism products and experiences, organizing cultural activities and exhibitions, encouraging investment, and creating employment and livelihood opportunities.
The order also seeks to strengthen cooperation between the local government and the private sector in supporting sustainable economic development. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
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