The Department of Trade and Industry-Cebu Provincial Office (DTI-CPO) is leading efforts to establish the Cebu Trade Logistics Alliance, aiming to address significant challenges in the province’s trade and shipping sectors. This initiative was highlighted during the “Visayas Shipping Conference 2025” held at the Cebu Sports Club, where DTI-CPO Officer-in-Charge Director Marivic Aguilar underscored the necessity for a coordinated approach to enhance trade logistics.
In 2024, the DTI-CPO conducted a series of focused group discussions (FGDs) that identified critical industry concerns. Key challenges include high logistics costs, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and infrastructure bottlenecks impeding trade flow. As Cebu continues to serve as the shipping hub of the Visayas—supporting manufacturers, exporters, importers, and consolidators—stakeholders have expressed concerns over the absence of a centralized logistics body, outdated port infrastructure, inconsistent trade regulations, and limited 24/7 logistics operations despite high demand.
To address these issues, industry leaders are advocating for the creation of a National Logistics Authority, a government-led body focused on optimizing trade logistics policies, processes, and standards. Stakeholders are also calling for the standardization of logistics operations to ensure uniformity across industries and enhance efficiency.
A key proposal emerging from the discussions is the development of a trade and logistics roadmap for Central Visayas. This strategic plan seeks to solidify Cebu’s role as a major shipping hub for the Visayas and Mindanao, fostering economic growth and streamlining trade operations.
The Cebu Trade Logistics Alliance is envisioned as a collaborative platform that will drive policy reforms, push for infrastructure modernization, and enhance Cebu’s competitiveness as a global logistics hub. The proposal is set to undergo further refinement before being presented to relevant government agencies and private sector leaders in the coming months. Once implemented, it is expected to boost supply chain efficiency, attract investments, and contribute to economic growth in Central Visayas.
The Visayas Shipping Conference 2025, themed “Visayas Trade Logistics: Navigating a Competitive Landscape,” convened key stakeholders from the shipping, logistics, and trade sectors to explore solutions for improving supply chain efficiency and reducing costs across the country. Mary Jean Pacheco, Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), emphasized the need to overhaul the national supply chain system, extending beyond the physical movement of goods to include financial flow improvements for businesses.
The DTI’s Supply Chain and Logistics Group (DTI-SCLG), recently reorganized under the leadership of DTI Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, is prioritizing infrastructure improvements, digitalization, and policy reforms to address inefficiencies in the logistics sector. With strong industry backing and government support, the proposed Cebu Trade Logistics Alliance is poised to play a crucial role in strengthening the region’s trade and shipping capabilities, ensuring a more resilient and competitive logistics sector for years to come.
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