Public officials collectively agreed that strong linkages and partnerships between the private and public sector are necessary.
“Government is empty without partnership with the private sector. Public and private dialogue and partnership is very necessary for business to grow and flourish so both sectors should take an active part, said Governor Gwendolyn Garcia during her keynote address on “Suroy- Lambo-Patigayon: a Perspective of Oneness in the Visayas” during the 17th Visayas Area Business Conference held recently in Cebu.
She explained that the reason why Cebu has been able to move forward as one destination these past years is because the key players from both its private and public sector has reached a certain level of consensus on where to go or where they should be heading in their efforts for progress.
Garcia stressed to the audience from the different chamber representatives from Visayas that the province through tapping “potentials and synergies” has been able to identify and create solutions to reach their different goals such as the reduction of the digital divide in the countryside in their ICT endeavors.
She said that in terms of tourism promotion, the “Suroy-Suroy Sugbo” caravan which has been initiated by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and continued by the provincial government shows that, “success lies in the unity and the active dialogue and partnership between the government and the private sector.”
Garcia also pointed out that the recently held “One Cebu Expo,” which is another activity done for the Mandaue Business Month highlights the strong linkage between the province and the business sector as they were “one” in showcasing the products and the beauty of the province’s countryside.
“With dialogue, we realize our connectedness and our shared future and then we start to do things with impact on the community. Unity and active partnership powered Cebu and made it survive even amidst uncertain times,” said Garcia.
Meanwhile Senator Richard Gordon in his keynote speech on the topic, “May Energy Ka Pa Ba? Coping with the challenges of the times” said that Cebu could be considered as an epitome of how a nation should proceed because of its people’s “unity and collective effort.”
He stressed the importance of sharing a vision and making each citizen part of the decision process.
“Cebu is moving forward because they drew on wider resources and values and does not let their energies sink because there are setbacks and they do not get distracted with their focus to move ahead,” he said.
The Visayas Area Business Conference held at the Cebu International Convention Center gathered representatives and officials from 16 different business chambers all over the Visayas who convened primarily to come up with a resolution to address current economic and social-political problems.
This year’s 17th VABC was hosted by the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry. —Rhia de Pablo