CEBU — Megaworld Corp.’s 30-hectare Mactan Newtown has been designated the city’s “Tourism, Culture, and Investment Capital” under Executive Order No. 2026-072, signed by Mayor Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” Chan. The declaration recognizes the township’s role in driving tourism, cultural activities, and business investment in the city.
A New Designation for Mactan Newtown
The designation means Megaworld and the Lapu-Lapu City government will coordinate with public and private stakeholders on programs related to tourism, culture, investment, and employment. This collaboration aims to unlock the city’s potential and create more opportunities for its people.
Megaworld President and CEO Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso said the recognition affirms the company’s vision for The Mactan Newtown as an integrated township where tourism, culture, and investments come together. She emphasized the goal of creating lasting value and long-term economic progress for Lapu-Lapu City.
A Hub for Tourism and Culture
The Mactan Newtown is a mixed-use development comprising residential condominiums, office buildings, hotels, retail establishments, and recreational facilities. Its commercial offerings include two first-in-the-Philippines dining concepts from Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay: Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips and Gordon Ramsay Street Burger.
The township is home to more than 1,000 hotel room keys from two world-class hotels: Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown and Mercure Mactan Cebu. These accommodations cater to both leisure and business travelers, reinforcing the area’s reputation as a premier destination in Cebu.
A Magnet for Investment and Business
Beyond tourism and culture, The Mactan Newtown continues to attract businesses and investments through its growing portfolio of offices and commercial establishments. These enterprises generate employment, support local livelihoods, and create opportunities for entrepreneurship, reinforcing the township’s contribution to the city’s long-term economic development.
The development has hosted major events such as the Cebu Mangoes Festival, Ironman 70.3 Mactan, and Cebu Lechon Festival. These gatherings attract visitors and stimulate economic activity across Lapu-Lapu City, further boosting the local hospitality and retail sectors.
Host to Major Events
At the heart of the township sits Mactan Expo, Cebu’s first stand-alone convention center with access to the beach. It hosted leaders of Southeast Asian nations and thousands of delegates during the 48th ASEAN Summit earlier this year, strengthening Lapu-Lapu City’s position as a competitive destination for MICE tourism.
The planned Mactan World Museum is expected to further elevate the township’s cultural significance. It will complement existing hospitality, dining, retail, and recreational offerings with a destination dedicated to Cebu’s rich history and heritage. An opening date has not been announced.
A Vision for the Future
Under the executive order, Megaworld and the Lapu-Lapu City Government will continue working with public and private stakeholders. Together, they will develop programs and initiatives that promote tourism, cultural activities, investment, employment, and sustainable local development in the city.
The declaration marks a significant milestone for The Mactan Newtown, reinforcing its role as a catalyst for Lapu-Lapu City’s transformation into a thriving center for tourism, culture, and economic development. It sets the stage for continued growth and opportunity in the years ahead.
