CLFI, SWS set to bare result of corruption outlook survey

The Cebu Business Club's Cebu Leads Foundations (CLFI) together with the Social Weather Station (SWS) will be presenting the latest survey result on Cebu's business sector’s perception of corruption in the government next week.

CBC president Dondi Joseph urged business players and multi-sectoral group to attend the forum and presentation to be held at the Grand Convention Center.

"Times are going to be very challenging, particularly for our brothers and sisters who have been immediately affected by the recession," Joseph said.

He said the two previous forums on the SWS survey findings held in Cebu were extremely lively, if not sometimes "mildly" controversial. 

"This forum will also discuss the practice of corruption in relation to its effects on business competitiveness. It will also present a positive response - from the head of the "Pwede Pala" Movement and from the Cebu Leads Foundation. Dr. Jesus Estanislao will be a reactor and moderator," he said.

Dr. Manghar Mangahas of the Social Weather Station will present the findings of the SWS's Annual Survey on Corruption. This is the 3rd time this presentation/forum, which is funded by the Asia Foundation and organized by the SWS and the Cebu Business Club, will be held in Cebu. 

 The 2008 survey covers the business sector's perception of corruption in the government agencies in NCR (National Capital Region), Cebu and Davao - and will for the first time include the perception of corruption in the Private Sector. 

Aside from SWS's 2008 Survey on Corruption, the Cebu Citizen-Press Council (CCPC) will also present a case study involving a Cebu LGU that will highlight the negative effects the perception and practice of corruption has on business and development. 

CBC's Cebu Leads Foundation Inc. earlier announced that it is going to start a move convincing Local Government Units (LGUs) in Cebu, to sign up for a commitment to employ a sound master-plan for development.

The group will start an aggressive campaign to urge LGU executives across the Cebu province to join the foundation, and eventually drive change.

CLFI is one of the flagship projects of the newly revived CBC. The CLFI, which is described as the "think-tank" of private-sector led developmental advocacy that will work closely together with LGU executives, and Cebuano law-makers or Congressmen.

CLFI has 35-businessmen members, 11 of whom are incorporators. The list included highly respected businessmen and business leaders in Cebu, such as Augusto Go, Marissa Fernan, Manny Osmeña, among others.— Ehda M. Dagooc