Malaysian Company Eyes Proposed Integrated Development In Cebu, Philippines
KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Bernama) -- MTD Philippines Inc, a member of Malaysia’s AFK Group, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Philippine province of Cebu for the proposed development of an integrated masterplan in Naga City, Cebu.
AFK Group’s infrastructure arm AFA Group said the proposed integrated hub in the city’s “Balili property” will comprise a satellite provincial government centre, a sports and economic hub featuring a 20,000-seat stadium and aquatic centre, and a food security centre.
It will also include transport facilities such as ferry and public utility vehicle terminals, as well as renewable energy infrastructure, it said in a statement.
“The initiative is designed to decentralise government services, strengthen food security, and position Naga City as a key gateway for economic activity in Cebu’s southern corridor,” the group said.
AFK Group president and chief executive officer (CEO) Tan Sri Azmil Khalid, said the MoU marks the beginning of a shared aspiration to explore how public leadership, private sector expertise, and regional cooperation can come together to shape a future-ready and sustainable development for the people of Cebu.
“A meaningful infrastructure development must be measured not by physical scale alone, but by the quality of life it creates, the opportunities it opens, and the resilience it strengthens for communities and future generations,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro said Cebu deserves more accessible government services, stronger economic opportunities, more spaces that empower its youth through sports, and sustainable solutions for food security.
MTD Philippines Inc president and CEO Patrick Nicholas David said the MoU marks the beginning of a structured and transparent process, including joint technical assessments, master planning, and rigorous feasibility studies.
He added that the MoU establishes a formal framework for feasibility studies, master planning, and strategic cooperation, with all parties committed to proceeding in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and guided by principles of transparency, good governance, and mutual respect.
The signing was witnessed by Malaysia’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Datuk Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, whose presence at the ceremony underscored the significance of the initiative as a tangible expression of the enduring bilateral relationship between Malaysia and the Philippines.
Beyond the masterplan and the partnerships, AFA Group said, the initiative reflects a broader ambition to demonstrate how cross-border collaboration can translate into infrastructure that serves communities, opens opportunities, and stands the test of time.
-- BERNAMA