At the forefront of free enterprise

MANILA, Philippines - Business leader Joji Ilagan-Bian has vowed to protect the business sector, particularly the Filipino-Chinese community which is one of the main drivers of the economy of Davao City.

Bian, who is seeking the congressional seat of the Second District of Davao, said she will do everything within her capacity as leader of the sector in ensuring that the Filipino-Chinese business community as well as the rest of the business community including the micro-entrepreneurs that fair enterprise will always prevail.

“We have a new generation of Chinese businessmen now whose business philosophy includes practicing corporate social responsibility and so you see them supporting various endeavors in education such as school buildings, donations of computers to public schools and disaster aids. The Chinese businesses are not only driven by profit but also driven by their compassion to see Davao become a vibrant economy with a community that is above poverty level,” Bian said.

“That task is not new to me, I have been doing that since I became a member of the business sector,” she said in reference to her membership in the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCCI) where she served as the first lady president. I had been in the forefront of advocating and championing free enterprise from the smallest business to the largest ones. In fact my efforts have been recognized by the Go Negosyo and featured me in their book, “55 Inspiring Stories of Women Entreprenuers in the Philippines.”

During her stint as president of the DCCCI, Bian was able to persuade the city government to go slow in enforcing local taxes on the business sector. Both the Filipino and the Chinese community lauded Bian for her leadership in this important issue.

At present, the business sector has been lobbying before the city government to revisit local laws that are considered detrimental to the sector, among them the passage of an ordinance which imposes an increase in real property taxes.

“The city government must create a good business climate because investors will be lured to pour in their hard-earned capital if they believe their business will thrive,” she said.