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31st CebuCon Build Expo Showcases
New Construction Technologies
And Sustainable Solutions

The region’s longest-running building and construction exhibition is back as the CebuCon Build Expo opens its 31st edition at SM Seaside City Cebu, bringing together nearly a hundred exhibitors and featuring more than a thousand products and services for the construction, architecture, and building industries.

Running from June 4 to 7, the annual expo highlights the latest innovations in construction materials, equipment, and technologies. Among this year's new exhibitors are companies showcasing solar-powered pumping systems and solutions designed to combat soil erosion, reflecting the growing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly building practices.

Organizers said the event continues to serve as a key platform for industry professionals, suppliers, contractors, architects, engineers, developers, and homeowners to explore emerging trends and technologies shaping the construction sector.

Beyond the exhibition floor, CebuCon Build Expo 2026 also hosts several industry-related activities, including the Pasidungog Architecture Thesis Awards Year 3, the United Architects of the Philippines District C1 Assembly, as well as seminars and special exhibits aimed at promoting professional development and innovation in the field.

Now in its third decade, CebuCon has established itself as one of the premier industry gatherings in the Southern Philippines, providing opportunities for networking, knowledge-sharing, and business development.

CebuCon Build Expo is organized by L.A. Ducut Abais Innovations Inc. in collaboration with Cebu Hardwares Consolidated Inc.

The four-day event is open to industry stakeholders and the general public at SM Seaside City Cebu.

MCIA Welcomes VietJet’s Planned
Direct Cebu–Ho Chi Minh City Service

Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), operated by Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC), welcomed Vietnam’s leading low-cost carrier, VietJet Air, as it announced plans to launch a direct route between Ho Chi Minh City and Cebu. The new service is set to strengthen air connectivity between two of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic tourism and economic hubs.

The announcement was made during the Vietnam–Philippines Business Forum held on June 1, 2026, at Diamond Hotel Manila. The ceremony was led by VietJet Air Vice Chairman Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hung and Aboitiz InfraCapital President and CEO Cosette V. Canilao. The forum formed part of the State Visit of Vietnamese President Tô Lâm to the Philippines, hosted by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., highlighting the deepening strategic partnership between the two countries in trade, investment, tourism, and connectivity.

“This development reflects the growing demand for travel between Cebu and Vietnam and highlights the strength of the relationship between our two countries. Direct connectivity plays a vital role in stimulating tourism, facilitating commerce, and creating opportunities that benefit our communities and economies,” said Canilao.

The planned direct service will provide Filipino travelers with easier access to Vietnam and onward connections across Asia, while offering Vietnamese visitors a convenient gateway to Cebu and other Philippine destinations through MCIA, the country’s busiest airport outside Manila.

The Cebu–Ho Chi Minh City route marks a significant milestone in enhancing tourism, trade, and people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and the Philippines. The new service is expected to provide greater travel convenience while opening opportunities for business, investment, and leisure travel across both markets.

The announcement follows the successful operation of a series of VietJet charter flights between Da Nang and Cebu, which targeted the Philippine outbound leisure market and generated strong passenger demand.

Recognizing the growing potential of the Vietnamese market, ACAC intensified its route development efforts through a series of strategic engagements with VietJet Air and Vietnam Airlines. These initiatives included airline headquarters visits, executive-level discussions, and participation in major international route development forums such as Routes World and Routes Asia. ACAC also provided comprehensive market intelligence, traffic demand analyses, and growth projections to airline network planning and commercial teams, demonstrating Cebu’s strong potential as an expanding international gateway.

The planned launch of direct flights between Cebu and Ho Chi Minh City underscores the success of these collaborative route development initiatives and reinforces MCIA’s commitment to expanding international connectivity, supporting tourism growth, and strengthening Cebu’s position as a leading gateway to the Philippines.

The development also advances MCIA’s Ceb Connects program, which aims to establish Cebu as the country’s premier tourism transfer hub by seamlessly connecting international travelers to destinations across the Philippine archipelago.

With Vietnam emerging as one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing travel markets, the new service—expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026—is poised to enhance accessibility between the two destinations while creating new opportunities for travelers, tourism stakeholders, and businesses alike.

PHOTO
Vietnamese President Tô Lâm and Aboitiz InfraCapital President and CEO Cosette Canilao at the announcement of Vietjet Air’s Cebu to Ho Chi Minh direct service.

President Marcos Witnesses Landmark
MOU Signing for the Philippines’
First Intelligent City Initiative

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. witnessed the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among Ayala Corporation, Globe Telecom, Mitsubishi Corporation, and KDDI Corporation, marking the start of the Philippines’ first Intelligent City initiative, with the Makati Central Business District (CBD) identified as the pilot area.

The partnership brings together four industry leaders to harness data, digital technologies, and advanced connectivity to redefine how Filipinos live, work, and thrive in urban environments.

The initiative will showcase Globe’s consistent and reliable network while digitally enabling an ecosystem of industries to bring the Intelligent City vision to life. Key focus areas include mobility, retail, energy, and connectivity, as well as the development of intelligent city platforms that integrate data and leverage artificial intelligence (AI) solutions.

“Ayala Corp. has always believed in building communities that uplift lives. Through this initiative, we are reimagining Makati CBD as a hub of innovation, where technology and human connection converge to create a city that truly serves its people,” said Ayala Corporation President and CEO Cezar Consing.

The partnership will also utilize technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), integrating AI into practical, everyday applications. Together, these initiatives will help build smarter, more sustainable, and more resilient urban communities.

Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz underscored the role of connectivity in driving digital inclusion and nation-building.

“Connectivity has become the lifeblood of progress, the Fifth Utility that empowers nations to grow and thrive. Globe is excited to showcase its consistent and reliable network to transform our cities, ensuring that every Filipino has access to the tools, opportunities, and digital experiences they need to keep moving forward in an increasingly connected world,” Cruz said.

The collaboration marks a significant milestone in nation-building and sets the stage for a new era of urban development in the Philippines. By leveraging advanced connectivity, AI, and sustainable technologies, the Intelligent City initiative aims not only to transform Makati’s business district but also to serve as a model for future developments across the country.

The project is expected to create an environment where businesses can innovate, opportunities become more inclusive, and economic resilience and competitiveness are strengthened for Filipino enterprises and entrepreneurs in the digital age.

Through this strategic partnership, millions of Filipinos stand to benefit from safer, smarter, and more connected communities. The initiative demonstrates how collaboration among industry leaders can harness technology as a powerful force for transformation, modernizing cities, empowering communities, and ultimately uplifting the lives of Filipinos.

PHOTO
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Intelligent City initiative was formally signed in Tokyo, Japan on May 28, 2026. The historic signing was witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos, Department of Trade and Industries (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque, Ayala Corporation Vice Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Corporation President and CEO Cezar Consing, and Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz, underscoring the national and international significance of this milestone partnership. (Standing, from left): KDDI President and CEO Hiromichi Matsuda; Mitsubishi Corporation President and CEO Katsuya Nakanishi; Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque; Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.; Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene Garcia Albano; Ayala Corporation Vice Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala; and Chief Social Infrastructure Officer Paolo F. Borromeo. (Seated): KDDI Managing Executive Officer Hiroaki Hosoi; Mitsubishi Corporation Mineral Resources Group Executive Vice President Satoshi Koyama; Ayala Corporation President and CEO Cezar P. Consing; Globe Telecom President and CEO Carl R. Cruz; and Ayala Corporation Executive Director Jaime Urquijo.

China Bank Savings Sustains
Growth Momentum in Q1 2026

China Bank Savings (CBS) sustained its growth momentum in the first quarter of 2026, posting a net income of P631.2 million, up 11.5% year-on-year, driven by continued strength across its core businesses.

Net interest income grew by 20.4% to P2.8 billion, supported by sustained expansion in the Bank’s lending operations.

Total assets reached P217.3 billion, backed by a growing customer base of more than one million. Net loans increased by 11.5% year-on-year to P155.5 billion, driven mainly by continued growth in the Bank’s salary loan and business loan segments. Deposits likewise rose by 12.0% to P191.4 billion, reinforcing CBS’ liquidity position and funding stability.

CBS President James Christian T. Dee expressed confidence in the Bank’s continued growth trajectory.

“CBS prides itself in maintaining strong relationships with its customers, and they have rewarded the Bank with loyalty. There is no substitute for trust and dependability, and the Bank provides that in spades whatever the circumstance,” Dee said.

Asset quality remained stable, with a non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of 2.9%. The Bank’s NPLs continue to be adequately covered by loan-loss allowances, reflecting CBS’ conservative provisioning stance.

CBS Chairman Ricardo R. Chua highlighted the organization’s agility and expanding role in the thrift banking industry.

“These are interesting times, but a young bank like CBS can be more agile and adapt to the changing environment faster. Already, CBS is establishing itself in the thrift banking space as a significant player, thanks to its mix of affordable and readily available loan products, and its competent and driven workforce that is in tune with the needs of the Bank’s target market,” Chua said.

CBS continues to strengthen its nationwide presence and customer reach through its network of 175 branches, 34 APD lending centers, and 73 APD branch-lite units, supported by more than 3,000 employees.

As part of its ongoing expansion strategy, the Bank converted 10 branch-lite units into full-service branches in April 2026 and is set to open an additional five branches before the end of the second quarter, bringing its total branch network to 190 branches. CBS also continues to enhance its digital capabilities as part of its broader transformation initiatives.

CBS Senior Vice President and Retail Banking Group Head Jan Nikolai M. Lim, who leads the Bank’s nationwide branch expansion efforts, emphasized the Bank’s commitment to broadening access to financial services despite economic challenges.

“We at CBS are eager to provide our ‘Easy Banking’ services nationwide, and that is why we continue to expand our branch network despite accelerating inflation. We are confident in the resilience of the Philippine economy, and we recognize the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Filipino entrepreneur, whose endeavors require strong financial support from the banking sector to ensure sustainability and prosperity,” Lim said.

As it moves through the rest of 2026, CBS remains focused on expanding higher-yielding loan segments, growing its CASA base, deepening customer relationships, and sustaining operational efficiency through continued investments in both physical and digital capabilities.

Vivant Eyes P67 Billion Investment Push
For Energy and Water Expansion by 2030

Cebu-based Vivant Corporation is set to invest approximately P67 billion in its energy and water businesses through 2030 as it accelerates expansion plans aimed at strengthening critical infrastructure nationwide.

During its Annual Stockholders’ Meeting on May 21, the listed firm said around P60 billion, or 90% of the planned capital expenditures, will be allocated to its energy business, while the remaining P7 billion will fund the growth of its water portfolio.

The company reiterated its target of expanding total attributable generation capacity to 1,000 megawatts (MW) by 2030, with at least 30% coming from renewable energy (RE) sources under its “30 by 30” strategy.

Vivant said about 78% of its planned energy investments will be directed toward renewable energy projects as it works toward building a more balanced portfolio between conventional and renewable assets to support the country’s growing power requirements.

In the water segment, the conglomerate plans to channel roughly 70% of the P7-billion allocation into bulk water supply projects, while the remaining 30% will be invested in water distribution operations.

The company said the expansion strategy supports its broader ambition of becoming a major power conglomerate with presence in other industries by 2030, and eventually evolving into a major Philippine conglomerate by 2040.

Vivant also noted that the next phase of its growth strategy will emphasize not only portfolio expansion but also stronger operational control and accountability over the assets it develops and manages.

“Following the strong performance delivered in 2025 and amid the challenges encountered in the first quarter of 2026, we remain firmly committed to achieving our 2030 targets,” said Arlo G. Sarmiento, chief executive officer of Vivant.

Mr. Sarmiento added that the company’s existing investments in power and water provide a solid foundation for its next growth phase.

“Stabilized by our strong foundation of existing investments in power and water, I am confident that our projected P60-70 billion in pipeline investments over the next five years will allow us to continue to deliver on our mission to bring excellence to industries that improve everyday living,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minuel Carmela N. Franco, Vivant’s chief finance and risk officer, said the company remains focused on enhancing shareholder value alongside operational expansion.

Ms. Franco said Vivant’s board recently approved a dividend declaration of P0.6076 per share based on the company’s 2025 net income, representing a 6% year-on-year increase.

“As Vivant continues to scale, improving shareholder value shall remain among our top priorities, alongside providing excellent service to our customers,” she said.

PHOTO
Vivant officials — CEO Arlo A.G. Sarmiento, President Emil Andre Garcia, Chief Finance and Risk Officer Minuel Carmela N. Franco, and Vivant Water President and CEO Atty. Jess Anthony Garcia — at a press briefing after the company’s Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held at its Cebu headquarters on May 21, 2026.