PCCI lauds dispersal of businesses to countryside

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has lauded President Arroyo’s order seeking to encourage certain government offices, businesses and housing programs to move out of Metro Manila to other key areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

PCCI president Noemi Saludo said the move would pave the way for other businessmen to move or establish their businesses outside of Metro Manila as well.

President Arroyo made these remarks when she attended last week the Visayas Area Business Conference organized by the PCCI and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

The Visayas Area Business Conference is one of the five pre-conferences ahead of the 30th Philippine Business Conference and Exposition (PBCE) slated at the Manila Hotel from Oct. 5 to 7.

Saludo said that the business sector supports the move "since it would give more emphasis on the business and commercial potential of Visayas and Mindanao."

Aside from decongesting Metro Manila, Saludo said the PCCI is also asking President Arroyo to encourage other businessmen and capitalists to implement quality and productivity management programs in their respective companies in order to further strengthen the competitive edge of Filipino products in the global arena.