Why Live and invest in Cebu?

Geography

Cebu is located 365 miles south of Manila, the capital of Philippines. The province belongs to the country’s Central Visayas Region. It can be reached in an hour by air travel or 22 hours by cruising the sea.

Topography

Cebu is characterized by narrow coastlines, limestone plateaus, coastal plains but with predominant rolling hills and rugged mountain ranges traversing the northern and southern lengths of the island. Although Cebu’s steep mountains reach over 1,000 meters, the island lacks substantial forest cover. In the towns of Bogo, San Remigio, Medellin, and Daanbantayan at the northern tip of the province, considerable tracts of land are found. Of the three biggest islands, Mactan and Bantayan are relatively flat while Camotes is hilly.

Population/Language

Cebu Province has a total population of more than 3.85 million. Cebuano is the native tongue. While Filipino is commonly understood and spoken, the English language is widely used in business transactions and education.

Climate

Cebu’s weather is relatively moderate, having no distinct wet and dry season, the perfect vacation spot for all seasons. One can bask under the sunshine the whole year through since Cebu is blessed with tropical climate with generally fair temperature range of between 23 to 33 degrees Celsius or 73 to 91 degrees Farenheit. Coolest temperature can be felt in January and warmest in May. The rainy season begins in July bringing torrential downpours that would sometimes inhibit movement.

Philippine Time

Philippine standard time is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Meantime.

Dress/What to Bring

Wear natural-fibre, lightweight clothing. You will feel more comfortable. Bring shorts, hat, sunglasses, bathing suit, insect repellant, flashlight, sun block cream, tough shoes for walking, rubber slippers for the beach.

The Barong Tagalog is the acceptable formal wear for men. Shorts or sleeveless shirts should

never be worn when visiting churches, mosques or temples.

Money

The Philippine currency is peso, divided into 100 centavos. Next to the peso, the US dollar enjoys wide acceptance. Most foreign currencies can easily be changed at banks, hotels, and authorized dealers. Foreign currency is not readily taken by the establishments in Cebu. Major foreign credit cards may be accepted only at major hotels, resorts, shops, and restaurants. Visitors are advised to bring sufficient amount of change in small bills or coins.

Business Hours

Banks open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays. Government offices accept and process transactions 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays. Private firms are operational 9 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday. Shoppers can enjoy establishments 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Mondays to Saturdays. Most department stores stay open on Sundays and holidays.

Tipping

Bellhops expect a tip, as do waiters, taxi drivers, hairdressers, beauticians, and porters. Most hotels and restaurants add 10 percent service charge on top of the government tax. Tipping 5 to 15 percent of the bill appropriate if no service charge is included.

Public Transport

Getting around Cebu, one may take a colorful jeepney or a bus at a minimal fare. Tricycles (motorcycles with sidecars) and multicabs are popular in outlaying areas and in the suburbs, quiet notably within Mactan island. Metered taxicabs are widely available.

Electrical Appliances

Most areas in Cebu are supplied with 220 volts, 60 cycles. A plug with 2 flat parallel prongs is the norm.

WHY INVEST IN CEBU?

 It is not just a promise or potential, Cebu demonstrated its capability with an excellent economic track record.

* It is the second largest city and fastest growing economy in the Philippines.

* Cebu’s export growth rate for the past 5 year has averaged close to 20 percent considerably higher than that of the country and any other province in the Philippines.

* It leads the country in export items such as furniture, fashion accessories, carrageenan and gifts, toys and housewares.

* It is the most accessible place in the Philippines, with more domestic air and sea linkages than Manila.

* Cebu is base to over 80 percent of inter-island shipping capacity in the Philippines.

* Cebu is the Tourism Gateway for the Central and Southern Philippines.

* It is not in an earthquake zone or typhoon belt, nor are there volcanoes in the island.

* Cebu has one of the best records for peace and order in the country.

* Its labor force is oriented towards non-agriculture lines and is one of the most productive in the country.

* The development of its infrastructure is balanced; it has all the ingredients necessary to be competitive and sustain investments. It is a cosmopolitan with all the support facilities and amenities needed for an ideal lifestyle.

A Cebu retirement is ideal for living abroad if you don't want to abandon the English language. 

   

Cebu is the name of both the island province and the nation's second largest city. It is called "The Queen City of the South." It is the commercial and financial hub for the central and southern Philippines and is the fastest growing economy in the Philippines. For the last five years Cebu has averaged a 20% export growth. It has a very low crime rate and is considered one of the best places in the Philippines for peace and order.

It is not located in a typhoon belt and is not in an earthquake zone and there are no volcanoes on the island. It's natural deep water harbor has made Cebu a center for trade long before the arrival of the Spaniards. Air and sea shipments arrive daily from around the world. This all translates to a near ideal lifestyle with the availability of all goods and services. You can choose an urban lifestyle in the city, small town living in the surrounding areas, or a private quiet beachfront with easy access to goods and services.

Cebu has two climate types. Parts of Northern Cebu from Bantayan Island to Mandaue City receive rain during the entire year, while Southern areas from: Cebu City to Santander, Cebu has a "TYPE 2" climate, meaning the rainy season is from November–February and the rest of the year is mostly dry. It is also protected by the outer islands from bad weather. Even during a typhoon, Cebu rarely experiences anything more than just some rain and moderate winds.

Living In Cebu 

The quality of life is an important issue for people when deciding if or where to retire. Standard indicators of the quality of life include not only wealth and employment, but also the built environment, physical and mental health, education, recreation and leisure time, and social belonging. Cebu is the hub of Cebuano hospitality, the warmest, friendliest people in the Philippines. The lower cost of living stretches a limited income to comfortable levels. Cebu has a wealth of natural and historic attractions for the active adult. Water and air pollution are extremely low. Ethnic diversity is high providing a wide variety lifestyles and culture. Theinternational nature of Cebu City is reflected in the tremendous variety of restaurants and choice of entertainment throughout the city. It is time to enjoy life, not work yourself to an early grave.

Health care High quality diagnostic equipment is used in Cebu hospitals such as Chong Hua, Cebu Doctors Hospital, and Community Hospital etc.. All general services and specialties are available in Cebu. Several hospitals are accredited medical schools having access to the latest technologies and treatments. Medical, dental, and optical services cost only a small fraction of western costs. Filipino nursing compassion is renowned the world over.

Fresh foods Fresh food is an obsession with shoppers in Cebu. Rice is a staple of all Filipino households, it is easily digestible and healthy for everyone. Fruit and vegetables are delivered daily to both groceries and local markets. The tropical fruit, alone, is worth the trip. It is really ripe when picked and has no comparison in

western markets. Fresh fish and seafood is plentiful and cheap and can be bought as soon as it comes off the boats.

 

Public transport Is cheap, plentiful, and comes in different forms. Tricycles are the cheapest and are simply a motorcycle with a covered sidecar that will seat 2, barely. They are OK for short hops around the city but are less prevalent in Cebu city than on Mactan. They are worth riding once just for the experience. Jeepneys are next and they are a unique small bus and are very cheap to ride. Favored by locals, they are usually crowded and are a favorite target of pickpockets in the city. They are hot when it's sunny and even if they put down the vinyl windows, they will still get wet inside when it rains. City buses are not airconditioned and only moderatly more comfortable than a Jeepney. Lastly is the taxi, it is my hands down favorite. They are cheap, comfortable, and quite safe. You can get anywhere in the city for 40-60 PHP or $1 to $1.50 US and you don't have to deal with the stress of driving yourself.

 

 

* Note about commercial drivers. The Philippines has no required drivers training programs, any driver that can make a vehicle go can get a license. There is a required test, but the myriad of "fixers" that hang around all LTO offices ensure that the candidate doesn't even need to be able to read. Philippine bus, truck, and jeepney drivers are the most dangerous drivers in the world, bar none!

Sports and Leisure. Without a doubt watersports are the most popular, swimming, snorkeling, and diving seems to be everywhere. Surfing, kayaking, and even sport fishing is available. Basketball is a national pastime and is literally played everywhere. Tennis, golf, mountain biking and cycling, forrest trekking and mountian climbing are gaining popularity. What ever your pleasure is, it is available here.