Surprised by drug war’s effect, biz leaders back Digong’s drive

Glenn Soco,

If gov’t’s effort can bring safer business climate, then it’s good for all industries — exec

Conclusion

The war on drugs of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration has drawn flak from international human rights groups, but it has also won the approval of investors and consumers.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, in a recent Inquirer report, told lawmakers during a House hearing on the Department of Trade and Industry’s budget gave this observation about the impact of drug war on the business sector.

However, for Ted Locson, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) external affairs division head, this reaction surprised the local business community because areas where killings were rampant would usually turn off investors.

In this instance, the drug war has not driven away investors.

Despite this, Locson said that it was to early to tell whether this momentum on the economy that everyone had been aspiring for could be sustained by the government as it continued to pursue the war against illegal drugs in the country.

Nonetheless, Locson stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to put an end to the country’s drug menace.

Investments in Cebu

For the first half of the year, however, according to the Board of Investments, Cebu registered P25.4 billion worth of projects, translating to 961 jobs generated.

Most of these were real estate projects spread across Metro Cebu.

Fiona King, president of the Philippine Association of Real Estate Boards-Cebu Real Estate Boards (PAREB-CEREB), said in a recent phone interview that any effort that would provide a better economic climate would be good for real estate.

“If the efforts of the present administration will yield results in making the country safer, then this is good news for all industries, not just real estate,” King said.

Need to mitigate risks

King, however, said that there would be a need to mitigate risks that this effort would be facing including human rights violations and attracting negative international attention such as from the United Nations.

Nonetheless, she said she was hoping to see more right than wrong from the administration’s approach.

Negative impression

But Edilberto Mendoza, Cebu Association of Tour Operators president, said that killings, no matter how good the intention would be would always give a negative impression to guests.

Mendoza, however, said that he understood how serious the government was in its war against drugs and criminality.

“If it would mean lives lost for us to really create total change then by all means, let’s do it,” said Mendoza.

Retail sector

For Robert Go, Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) Cebu chapter president, the government’s war on drugs still had no clear effect on the retail industry at present.

Although he said that the administration’s crackdown on illegal drugs, where alleged summary killings were involved, had little effect on the retail industry.

“These are mostly done in slum areas or out-of-retail places. There is an air of fear in dim areas and (retail stores in) provinces would close early, but cities seem to be the same,” said Go.

Local perspective

Meanwhile, Glenn Soco, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said he agreed with Trade Secretary Lopez’s statement.

“If the government will take care of the peace and order situation, then the private sector will do the rest,” he said.

The economy will grow as the government projects its control over peace and order in the country, Soco added.

He said that on a local perspective, business had aspired for a drug-free environment.

He said that this momentum would further enhance business opportunities, especially for micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises.

“If your area is safe and drug-free, then business will prosper,” said Soco.