Chamber to release primer on Cebu-wide ecozone bid

Anticipating a tougher battle ahead, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), which is the main proponent of the Cebu Economic Development Zone (CEDZ) bill, is set to release a primer to solicit support from majority of the Cebuanos.

CCCI president Edward Gaisano said that the private sector in Cebu is confident that it could ultimately pass the challenging discussion in the Senate, saying "our cause is noble, we are sure to meet the challenges ahead."

The first primer that will be released by the CEDZ study group, which is specifically created to focus on the realization of this ambitious project, will provide a more detailed understanding to the public and local government executives on the benefits Cebu will get once the House Bill No. 1319 will be passed into law.

"In the next few weeks, we will be releasing copies of the primer, along with series of consultations to LGUs. This will give a stronger back up for us to push the bill," Gaisano said.

Gaisano said there is a need for Cebuanos to be united in this purpose, after all, the project, which is first-of-a-kind, will pave the way for a "better" and economically stronger Cebu.

Gaisano said the CEDZ primer, which lists the salient points of the bill, will be released in January as information dissemination drive and consultation sessions will be conducted with various stakeholders.

"It will improve the way investments are done in Cebu. The stakeholders will soon realize it will be for the good of the province," he added.

House committee on economic affairs chairman Rep. Ramon Durano VI (Cebu, fifth district) said while the CEDZ proposal will likely get the approval of the Lower House, it is expected to face strong opposition in the Senate.

"We are almost sure that this will pass the House of Representatives, but we may not likely receive the same sentiment in the Senate," Durano said. But he remains hopeful the CEDZ proposal will eventually get the Senate's nod.

Durano said among the parties that are expected to lobby against the bill are the Department of Finance which earlier projected the potential revenue losses, especially for local government units and the Bureau of Customs (BoC).

Gaisano said that the bill has stronger backup with extensive studies being done supported by the German Technical Development (GTZ), to arm the proposal for a "bloody" fight when it reaches Senate.

Cebuano Congressmen that officially supported and filed the House Bill No. 1319 include; Tony Cuenco, Red Durano, Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, Eduardo Gullas, Benjur Salimbangon, Raul del Mar, Pablo John Garcia, and Pablo Garcia.

The bill proposed the legislation that establishes the CEDZ covering all the cities and municipalities of Cebu province, and the creation of Cebu Economic Development Zone Authority, as well and provision of appropriate funding requirements.

Gaisano said the chamber is willing to spend more in order to drum up major support from the Cebuanos.

The CEDZ is envisioned to be a paradigm of an effective and functioning Public-Private Sector Partnership with the private sector taking the lead and government providing infrastructure and institutional support and contributing part of the needed resources.