MCCI's young leaders urged to strengthen ties with LGU

CEBU, Philippines - One of Cebu’s well-respected business leaders, Norberto B. Quisumbing, Jr., is encouraging the young leaders of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) to sustain its partnership with the Mandaue City government to further push the City to its peak.

Quisumbing, deemed as the father of MCCI who founded the organization in 1965, said that as the chamber turns 45 years old this year, the private sector prime movers in Mandaue should be united in pushing for the economic prosperity of the city.

He stressed the crucial role of the private sector in the urban planning of Mandaue City emphasizing that MCCI should usher in constructive suggestions to push proper urban zoning within the city.

Meanwhile, Quisumbing also lauded the good relationship between MCCI and the present Mandaue City administration led by Mayor Jonas Cortes, saying Mandaue is bound to attract more investments specifically in BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) and other service-oriented businesses, for as long as the private sector and the government agencies continue to work forward towards the same goal.

However, while MCCI had been able to effectively connect with the LGU in both Mandaue City and the Cebu Provincial Government, he warned business leaders in Mandaue to protect their credibility as business sector and not be easily swayed by political adversities and compromises.

MCCI, now headed by businessman and exporter Eric Ng Mendoza, is now working closely with the Mandaue City government, as Mendoza was recently appointed by Cortes and the Mandaue Council as in-charge of the newly created Mandaue Investment Board.

In a separate interview, Mendoza said the business sector will seriously help the city in its campaign to further attract investments and business opportunities by improving critical areas such as solid waste management, peace and order situation and traffic management.

Now that Mandaue City is gaining popularity as an alternative commercial hub in the province, Mendoza said the private sector will help the city government to implement effective urban planning, a long formulation of investment-friendly policies.

Already, Mandaue is already successful in attracting investments via its effective low tax rate policy.

“What is good is that the LGU in Mandaue listened to the private sector. It’s good that they [LGU] build numbers, not in rate. Now, the number of new business registrants and renewals has surged significantly,” added Mendoza.

Even without an economic zone area, Mandaue has been able to attract investments from diverse industries, specifically shopping malls, services, and even buildings designed for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO).

The new shopping malls that will soon open in Mandaue City, aside from the expansion of Super Metro, include the wholesale S&R shopping facility, the establishment of Gaisano Grand, and the G-Mall operated by exporter Justin Uy.

The private sector will also extend their help to the city in updating its urban planning master-plan that will involve widening or roads, and zoning strategies.

“We will be actively involved in the City’s urban planning,” said Mendoza accepting Quisumbing’s challenge of active involvement in the socio-economic development in Mandaue. (THE FREEMAN)