MCCI spearheads talks with Mandaue officials

CEBU, Philippines — Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry will continue to pursue open talks with the city government to discuss issues affecting the business sector.

MCCI president Stanley Go said the chamber has organized the Mandaue Talks with Business every month to meet with city mayor Luigi Quisumbing and other city officials.

"In this meeting, a number of our member companies meet with the city government to discuss policies affecting business," he said.

Among the business sector's pressing concerns include traffic, infrastructure woes, the ease of doing business and cost of doing business.

"We want the business to discuss with the LGU how the government can aid business," the MCCI official.

Earlier, MCCI vice president Steven Yu expressed Mandaue City's business outlook is bullish but cited traffic as one of its key challenges.

Mandaue City, a key growth area in Cebu, is projected to see a continued growth over the medium term with big projects coming up in the future.

"Mandaue will experience a strong and dynamic growth in the medium to long term horizon," Yu had said.

Traffic, however, poses as a challenge to its growth.

Cebuanos continue to clamor on Mandaue's traffic problem, being an entry point to those going to Lapu-Lapu City and northern Cebu, and Cebu City as well.

"Despite the set limitations, traffic in Mandaue City has greatly improved. There is also a massive upgrade of traffic system flows and processes," Yu had noted.

He said the city should be on the right track in the management of traffic planning, issues and concerns.

The general public has long been asking the government to see an improvement in the city's traffic situation.

Despite this challenge, Yu expressed optimism Mandaue is poised for continued growth with the strong uptake of various project developments.

The key to ensure the city's continued development is boosting partnership between the local government unit and the private sector, he said. (FREEMAN)