CCCI reviews the viability of Cebu-wide ecozone bid

CEBU, Philippines - Amid the controversies hounding the Cebu Economic Development Zone (CEDZ) proposal, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is currently studying whether to push through with the bid or not.

CCCI president Samuel Chioson said there is an ongoing study on the viability of the House Bill No. 1319 or the CEDZ, after such, the chamber may decide whether to pursue in fighting to have the bill pass into law, making Cebu as a province-wide economic zone.

While the concept is noble, CCCI past President Francis O. Monera said the chamber has to embark an intensive study on this proposal, saying “we do not operate in a vaccuum.”

House Bill 1319, creating the Cebu Special Ecozone and Free Port, has already passed through the House's economic affairs committee, some three years ago.

The bill was authored by all the eight congressmen from Cebu and is jointly supported by local business groups.

On the other hand, as the original author of the Cebu province-wide economic zone proposal, Cebu first district Representative Eduardo Gullas made a vow to Cebuanos that he will continue to push the realization of the bid.

“I will continue with the advocacy because I believe in the validity of the idea,” Gullas said in an earlier interview with The Freeman.

Gullas made this pronouncement following the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) undecided state, whether to pursue and continue to seek the help from other Cebuano Congressmen to re-file the Cebu Economic Development Zone (CEDZ) proposal or the House Bill No. 1319.

Nevertheless, Gullas has already gone ahead, and filed House Bill 91, to declare Cebu province as an economic zone in the first day of 15th Congress on July 1, 2010.

Gullas reiterated that he is serious in pushing this province-wide economic zone proposal for Cebu, as this is his third time to file the same bill in Congress.

Gullas filed similar bill in the Congress even before the joint CEDZ or House Bill No. 1319 was filed and passed to the Senate level during the 14th Congress.

He crafted and filed similar bill in the 13th Congress (2004-2007), in his vision to make Cebu a more competitive investment destination.

In the 14th Congress, a joint and collaborative effort of passing the Bill with the CCCI and all Cebuano Congressmen, including him to further push the passage of the concept into law.

While CCCI is still studying whether to pursue the proposal or call it “quits,” Gullas vowed that “I’ll give it my best shot. I sincerely believe this is the best for Cebu.”

Technically, CCCI is not the main proponent of the CEDZ bill, Gullas explained.

“The idea of making the entire Cebu province as an economic zone, including its two islands-- Bantayan and Camotes was conceived by me. I want to put the truth on its proper light,” Gullas further clarified.

He admitted though that this proposal will again go through a very difficult journey. However, he is determined to continue with his advocacy and promised not to stop fighting.

The Congressman said that Cebu has all the merits becoming a province-wide economic zone.

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.

Gullas expressed strong determination to take on the fight, and sincerely hopes that other Congressmen, who wanted to make Cebu a world-class investment destination, will join with him.

Just like his advocacy to provide Cebu with the LRT (Light Rail Transit), Gullas said he is also equally passionate in pursuing the realization of the provide-wide ecozone proposal although it means a tougher fight--only to make Cebu a truly world-class province.