CEBU, Philippines - President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has assured Cebuano businessmen of his support, saying the country finally has a leader from the south after almost 60 long years.
"Let me assure our Cebuano businessmen, professionals and our small and medium enterprises which are the backbone of our economy of my support as your new president," Duterte said in his message to the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, read by CCCI President Melanie Ng before members of the chamber during its general membership meeting late Friday.
Duterte was invited to the CCCI meeting but unfortunately did not make it due to busy schedule.
Duterte is appointing Cebuano businessman Michael Dino as his presidential assistant for Visayas to take charge of the needs of Cebu and the region.
"Aron magpadayon ang paglambo sa Cebu ug sa tibuok Visayas, akong gi-appoint usa ka batan-on, si Michael Dino, sama ninyo usa ka negosyante isip presidential assistant for Visayas. Siya ug inubanan sa mga bag-ong opisyales nga maoy moabag kanako nga mahatagan og daling pagtagad ang mga panginahanglan sa Cebu ug tibuok Kabisay-an," the Bisaya-speaking Duterte said.
Duterte recalled that on January 25, 2015, he came to Cebu to advocate a shift from the present highly centralized unitary system of governance to a federal system.
"I spoke before students of the University of Cebu and some members of the business community. My advocacy did not resonate with Cebuanos yet. But a small group of young businessmen and professionals took up my cause here in Cebu City. They spread the advocacy through social media," Duterte.
Duterte has been vocal of his advocacy for federalism, a governance system wherein entities in the region share power with the central government.
Many are hoping that his federal system of governance would finally end "Manila Imperialism" and that growing cities like Cebu would get a fair share of the national budget.
Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry past president Philip Tan had earlier lamented that Cebu is not getting much of the national budget. He said being fair to Cebu is what the incoming administration should prioritize.
"Manila is always a showcase and we (Cebu) is just secondary," Tan had said. (FREEMAN)