Cebu City is the second biggest growth center in the country next only to Metro Manila not only now but also in the past. Commonly, the economic base of any locality is based on its agriculture, mining or in manufacturing, neither of these contributes largely to the economy of the city. Instead the city is more dependent on its trade and service activities that now accounts for almost three fourths of its employment.

The dominance of trade and service activities in the City is made possible by its strategic location in the central part of the Visayas and the presence of a good seaport. Surplus products from Cebu Island including those coming from the nearby provinces in Central Visayas and Mindanao are normally brought to the City for export or for processing and redistribution to other parts of the country. Many products manufactured in Manila or imported from abroad are also channeled to Cebu prior to their distribution to the different provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Because of its vibrant trading activities many financial institutions and other supporting business activities also are located in the City. Allied with the trading and financial services in the city is the growing tourism industry. The growth of tourism is made possible by the presence of many recreation, entertainment and shopping facilities in the City. The City, of course, is well known for its rich cultural heritage and history being the cradle of Christianity in Asia and the first city being built by Spaniards in the country. Besides business and tourism the city is also the center of health, educational and other important social and professional services that meet not only the needs of the people of the city but also those coming from other provinces in southern Philippines. The presence of many services and amenities makes Cebu City one of the most livable cities in Asia.

(Text from the Cebu City, Philippines Profile published by the City Planning and Development Office © 2007.)

TOP 30 CEBU CITY BARANGAYS WITH THE MOST NUMBER OF BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS FOR THE YEAR 2009

(Report Generated by the Management Information Computer Services (MICS) Developers Group © 2010.)