BO-PK mayoral candidate Tomas Osmeña (right) answers questions from business sectors during the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCCI) Mayoralty Forum with Fr. Dionisio Miranda (left) as the moderator. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
QUESTIONS on traffic, tourism development and political unity were among those raised to Cebu City mayoral bet Tomas Osmeña during a candidates forum organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) yesterday.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama didn’t show up despite being invited.
The chamber said another forum will be held to allow Rama to present his economic programs.
During the forum, Osmeña listed crime, traffic, poor administration, poor connections, poor investments and bad reputations as the main problems hounding Cebu City today.
He said lack of parking space is one factor aggravating the city’s traffic problem and added that infrastructure development should not be initiated in traffic-prone areas.
When asked about his vision for the business sector, Osmeña said he will prioritize small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and help them get started.
He cited as an example the farmer’s market that he developed, where prices are low and yet the sellers still earn well.
“Business is always demand-driven. People will not buy from you because you insist. You have to find out what they want,” Osmeña said.
He also said there should be better integration among hotels, resorts and restaurants in catering to the market.
CCCI president Melanie Ng said the business community can take some points that Osmeña raised to better improve their engagement with the city.