Business community urged to lead advocacy programs

The Cebu business community is encouraged to initiate active advocacy programs and call on the government to impose a relevant agenda that would help push the Philippines up against its competitors in the Asean.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Edgardo Lacson said that the numerous challenges faced by the Philippine economy such as the skyrocketing fuel prices, and rice shortage among others must be complemented with active advocacies that would drive the government into launching policies that would sustain a healthy economic environment.

Lacson was in Cebu Monday to grace this year’s Grand Chamber Awards, which honored Cebuano entrepreneurs who have carved their names in Cebu’s business society.

“It’s time to think ‘out of the box’ to meet head on with the challenges. The high cost of fuel and rice shortage is beyond our control. The private sector should lead in making the Philippines more competitive,” he said.

He said the PCCI is supportive of the programs of CCCI especially in promoting three economic driver industries---tourism, Information, Communication Technology (ICT), and Small and Medium Entrepreneurship, as forefronts of the economic strength of Cebu.

While these industries have good potential to compete in the world, especially with ASEAN neighbors, efforts of promoting these industries will go hand in hand with working closely with the government, so that policies supporting these industries will be properly in place and implementation of relevant programs will be prioritized.

This year’s Chamber Awards also celebrated the 95 years of CCCI’s existence as the voice of the business sector in Cebu.

Aside from honoring icon entrepreneurs in different fields, the chamber gave an award of distinction to Handwerkskammer Kassel (HWK) of Germany, as one of the pioneering international organizations who helped strengthen the chamber in its early stages.

Special citations were given to Barangay Luz Homeowners Multipurpose Cooperative, and Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative, for introducing entrepreneurial mentoring and espousing business interest to their respective members.

The maker of Carcar’s famous brand “Mat-Mat” Chicharon, Carcar Mayor Mario Patricio Barcenas, bagged the countryside micro-entrepreneur of the year. — Ehda M. Dagooc