Chamber says "Suroy" is good for businessmen

CEBU, Philippines - For businessmen, the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo provides them with the opportunity to look for possible investment areas in the countryside aside from tourism, according to Consul Samuel Chioson.

Chioson, who is the president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), said that the program of the Province of Cebu is “enlightening” for them as businessmen.

It was Chioson’s first time to join the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo in the Camotes group of islands but he has always participated in the activities for the mainland.

Chioson said the two-day Suroy-Suroy Sugbo last Saturday and yesterday in Camotes was “very successful.” The event ended with a mass in Pilar town, a separate island municipality, before the 140 participants returned to Cebu City yesterday afternoon.

Pilar Mayor Jesus Fernandez said he hopes to see investors on hotels and resorts. He said a lot of resources in their municipality remain untapped. He assured that his place has a stable peace and order situation and that they have a well-equipped rural health unit with X-ray facility.

As a doctor by profession, Fernandez is giving priority to the health of his people so they won’t have to go to Ormoc in Leyte or to mainland Cebu.

Camotes already has a 24-hour supply of electricity after the Provincial Government helped the National Power Corporation (NPC) in its financial problem.

But San Francisco Mayor Ally Arquillano expressed fear that after three months, power disruption will be experienced again because what NPC asked from the Province is only good for that period.

The Capitol provided loan to NPC to supply power to Camotes Electric Cooperative until they can secure funds from other sources.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is proud of what she saw in the two-day activity, called “Enchanting Camotes.”

Garcia noticed the efforts of all barangays in making the streets clean, planted with trees and even the well-kept households along the streets.

Garcia said every time she comes to Camotes there is always something new, creative and innovative, which makes her proud of the Cebuanos for never settling on what is enough.

Garcia is inviting again guests for the next Suroy-Suroy Sugbo in the Midwest of Cebu called “Midwest Adventure” on June 11 and 12. — (FREEMAN)