Biz leaders accept people’s will, push for infra projects

The proposed bus rapid transit (BRT) station was designed with the theme of Flowers of the Sun. The P10-billion BRT project is financed by the World Bank, among others. (Source: DOTC Detailed Engineering Design)

Most of Cebu’s business leaders yesterday vowed to cooperate and work closely with the newly elected government officials.

At the same time, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Melanie C. Ng pushed for policies and programs that will furtherimprove the ease of doing business index, enhance infrastructure support and provide better services to sustain the economy.

“The democratic process that we underwent (on Monday) is highly commendable. Given the results, the people have spoken. It is time to heal and learn to work together for the betterment of our future as a people,” Ng told Cebu Daily News.

“We see the fresh mandate as an opportunity to work closely with the winning candidates for the economic progress of Cebu,” she added.
Philip N. Tan, past president of Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), said the business sector’s allegiance is to the country and “whoever is voted by the majority.”

“We will cooperate with leaders that we hope will respect the rule of law,” Tan said.

Gordon Alan “Dondi” P. Joseph, president of Cebu Business Club, has adopted a wait-and-see attitude.

“We are, of course, concerned but (we) will wait to see what happens in a couple of days,” he said.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, whose lack of economic policies has created uncertainty among businessmen and investors, is leading in the presidential race.

In Cebu, Tomas R. Osmeña has been proclaimed the winner in Cebu City’s mayoralty race while Rep. Luigi Quisumbing will sit as Mandaue City’s new mayor. In Lapu-Lapu City, Mayor Paz Radaza is in for another term.

Ng said “a lot still needs to be done for Cebu.”

“The Cebu business sector will continue to advocate for better policies to improve the ease of doing business, better infrastructure to support our economic growth and better services for the sustainability of Cebu,” she added.

Among the proposed infrastructure projects that Cebu businessmen would like to be realized are the bus rapid transit (BRT) and intermodal transport system, Cebu-Cordova Bridge, Cebu-Bohol-Siquijor Friendship Bridge, second runway at the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) and a new international container port in Consolacion town in northern Cebu.

“We also have a list of roads for improvement to support specific industries which was already presented to the RDC (Regional Development Council) under the CR+ID (Coordinating Roads and Infrastructure Investment for Development) project,” Ng said.

“We also have the water supply dam project that’s very much needed,” she added.

To further ease the regulatory environment for the business sector, Ng said they were advocating for the electronic application and submission of documents to various government agencies and local government units as well as for improved digital connectivity services in the country.

Exporter Allan Suarez Jr., for his part, was hopeful that when Duterte takes over as new president, he will eventually declare clear-cut economic policies.

“He had no clear economic programs but he was dead serious on the drugs and peace and order concerns. As I understand it, if he fixes these two issues, the economic issues will just follow naturally,” Suarez said.