BUSINESS leaders in Cebu were saddened by the recent results of the National Competitive Council study that ranked Cebu City 57th out of 122 cities surveyed.
The low score was largely due to lack of data submitted by the city government for the survey.
Cebu Business Club president Gordon Alan Joseph said the result was a wake-up call.
“Cebu has been complacent for too long while other cities are working to catch up and surpass Cebu,” Joseph said.
He said the low competitiveness ranking of Cebu City may not reflect reality on the ground. Since the NCC is new and this is their first foray into conducting a competitiveness study among the country’s local government units (LGUs), there could be some flaws in the study, Joseph added.
“The survey team was unable to collect adequate information from LGUs and some national agencies who either did not give out the info or were too busy to cooperate. Or just unappreciative of the value of the exercise,” said Joseph.
Lito Maderazo, former president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said competitiveness is difficult to gauge and the results of the NCC study and actual business perception may differ.
“While the survey says Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu lag in the survey, the actual business creations, tourist arrivals and even foreign direct investments and local investments in these areas give us a different picture, said Maderazo.
“On the other hand the local government should also take this issue seriously. The mere fact that there is a perception of cold treatment is not a good indicator. The local government should make competitiveness a high priority,” said Maderazo.
Assailable results
Hotel Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu president Cenelyn thinks the result of the NCC study can be distorted because of the lack of data.
“But I’m pretty sure we won’t still be in the top spot even if they have gathered enough data but being in the 57th spot is just ridiculous.
The SWS study on the perception of business as to the sincerity of the LGUs in fighting corruption showed a sharp decline from 51 points in 2009 to 34 last year and 33 points in 2013.
The 2013 survey was conducted from July 31 to Nov. 19, 2014.
Manguilimotan on the other hand agrees with the results of the study. “I agree we have problems on sincerity ratings. Every sector in our government has to work together. They should learn to put political affiliations aside and work together for the betterment of every Cebuano.”
Move on
CCCI past president Prudencio Gesta said he is still confident that Cebu City remains as among the most or top competitive cities nationwide as can be gleaned from active business activities around.
As a way forward, Joseph said the Mega Cebu vision should pursued.
“We all need to collaborate to develop competitiveness pockets and strengths throughout mega Cebu. We need to undertake industry studies to identify key areas to focus on and work closely with LGUs and national agencies to address the ease of doing business problems once and for all. The government are the enablers of investment and business. They need to do their share,” said Joseph.
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