Mactan Newtown Is Getting a P10 Billion Boost
Most convention centers are tucked inside a business district, far from the sea. In Lapu-Lapu City, one of them has a beach attached. That same venue hosted 11 heads of state during the 48th Asean Summit.
It sits inside Mactan Newtown, a 30-hectare township developed by Megaworld Corp. The developer has now announced that it will put an additional P10 billion into the township over the next 10 years.
The goal, according to the company’s statement, is to strengthen the area as a tourism, cultural, and business hub. The new money is meant to fund developments that bring in more tourists, businesses, and investors.
A Marker, a City Order, and a New Title
The investment news came together with the unveiling of a commemorative marker. It recognizes the township as the “Tourism, Culture, and Investment Capital of Lapu-Lapu City.”
The city government made the recognition official through Executive Order No. 2026-072. Megaworld president and chief executive officer Lourdes T. Gutierrez-Alfonso and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Cynthia “Cindi” Chan led the unveiling.
Also present were Jennifer L. Romualdez, head of operations at Megaworld, and Cong. Junard “Ahong” Chan, the lone district representative of Lapu-Lapu City. Jasmine Chan-Olmstead, president of the Association of Barangay Captains and captain of Barangay Basak, joined them as well.
In a disclosure to the local bourse on Friday, November 13, 2026, Gutierrez-Alfonso said the recognition supports the company’s development vision. She added that it encourages more investment in Lapu-Lapu City and Cebu.
What Is Opening Next: The Mactan World Museum
For travelers, the most interesting item on the list is the Mactan World Museum. It is scheduled to open next year, in 2027, and is meant to showcase the island’s history and heritage. The company also says it will highlight the island’s place in Philippine history.
The source does not give an opening date, ticket prices, or operating hours. Those details will need to come from Megaworld or the township’s official channels once they are announced.
The township has also unveiled three statues as part of its push to build cultural attractions. They depict local hero Lapu-Lapu, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, and King Philip II of Spain. Together with the museum, they point to a heritage angle that goes beyond hotels and offices.
Where to Stay, Play, and Gather
Megaworld says Mactan Newtown has more than 1,000 hotel rooms across two properties: Savoy Hotel Mactan and Mercure Mactan Cebu. The township also provides access to Mactan Newtown Beach.
Earlier this year, the township opened Mactan Expo, described as Cebu’s first standalone convention center with access to a beach. Besides the 11 heads of state, it hosted thousands of international delegates during the 48th Asean Summit.
The township also hosts recurring events that the company says draw visitors and create business opportunities for local enterprises. They include the Cebu Mangoes Festival, the Cebu Lechon Festival, and IronMan 70.3 Lapu-Lapu.
If you like planning trips around events, that list is a useful starting point. Check each event’s official schedule before booking flights or rooms, since the source does not give dates.
More Than a Tourist Stop
Megaworld describes Mactan Newtown as an integrated development that combines office buildings, commercial establishments, residential communities, and lifestyle destinations. The company says this mix is positioning the township as a central business district that supports employment and business expansion in Lapu-Lapu City.
For visitors, that mix can mean a more walkable base where dining, shopping, and accommodation sit close together. The source does not describe walking distances or transport options, so confirm those details with your hotel before you arrive.
For business travelers, the pitch is similar: offices, hotels, and a convention venue in one township. The P10 billion commitment suggests that mix will keep growing over the coming decade.
Quick FAQ for Travelers
When will the Mactan World Museum open?
The source says it is scheduled to open next year, which is 2027. No exact date, admission fee, or schedule has been announced in the report.
Where can I stay inside Mactan Newtown?
The township has more than 1,000 hotel rooms across Savoy Hotel Mactan and Mercure Mactan Cebu. It also provides access to Mactan Newtown Beach.
Are there regular events I can plan around?
The township hosts the Cebu Mangoes Festival, the Cebu Lechon Festival, and IronMan 70.3 Lapu-Lapu. Dates were not given, so check the organizers’ announcements before you book.
What to Plan Next
If a Cebu trip is on your 2027 list, keep an eye out for the museum’s opening announcement before you fix your dates. A visit that pairs the new museum with a stay at one of the township’s hotels could be an easy way to see the island’s history without long transfers.
Before you book, confirm room availability, event schedules, and the museum’s opening details directly with the hotels and the township’s official pages.
