THE economy of Central Visayas is increasingly driven by service-based industries rather than goods and manufacturing, according to a top official from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Central Visayas.
DTI 7 Director Maria Elena Arbon, speaking at the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, highlighted significant growth in tourism, business process management, large-scale enterprises and retail, which are key contributors to the region’s economic expansion.
She said that Cebu City serves as the central hub for these industries, blending history, culture and digitalization in a fast-paced economy.
“If you look at IT Park, most businesses there are in the service sector. Our tourism industry is also service-based,” Arbon said.
Despite the dominance of the service industry, Arbon stressed that the food sector remains a strong pillar of the region’s economy.
“Have you ever wondered why Cebu has so many malls? It’s because of service jobs, tourism and IT Park-related employment. But at the end of the day, we all need to eat. That’s why food remains a strong sector,” Arbon said in Cebuano.
She added that DTI continues to support businesses in the processed food sector, helping them scale up and develop.
Arbon also reiterated the importance of Republic Act 10611, or the Food Safety Act of 2013, which DTI strictly enforces to ensure compliance in commercial establishments, particularly in malls within Cebu’s tri-cities.
She said under the Food Safety Act, businesses can no longer sell in malls and supermarkets without a License to Operate (LTO) and a Certificate of Business Registration (CBR).
“Without these, you cannot enter the mall or operate your business there,” she said.
Arbon encouraged entrepreneurs to embrace digitalization, noting that technology-driven businesses are among the most successful today.
Data from the DTI showed that 44.8 percent of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have adopted digital platforms, following the agency’s efforts to assist and prioritize service-oriented and retail industries.
The shift highlights the growing importance of digital integration in business operations, encouraging more MSMEs to leverage online platforms for marketing, transactions and expansion. / Cian Napalit, BiPSU Comm Intern