Cebu business sector lauds PNoy's SONA

CEBU, Philippines - As President Benigno Aquino III delivered his third State of the Nation Address last July 23 at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, PNoy has gained affirmative responses and further recommendations from the major players in the local business arena. Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) president Philip Tan said that the SONA of the President showed the sincerity of his effort to accomplish his promise to the Filipino people.

Although Tan cited that change cannot be done outright on the complex problems PNoy has inherited, the former believed that the economy will further grow while other countries will undergo various challenges.

“Good job, Mr. President,” he stated.

Rey Calooy, president of Filipino Cebuano Business Club, was also impressed and inspired of the President’s specific reports to his “boss”.

He added that it made him proud to be a Filipino by having a president who pays much attention on good governance.

Although Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Prudencio Gesta considered Aquino’s SONA as a ‘very good” report of his accomplishments particularly on education, he noted that the latter could have included detailed strategies for national development.

Specific plans such as the reduction of power rate in the country which is being considered as the highest in Asia and improvement on infrastructures for airports, seaports and better roads especially in VisMin regions could have been mentioned in his SONA to draw more investors, generate more jobs and attract more tourists to visit Philippines, he continued.

Bosconian International Chamber of Commerce President Ludwig Federigan, on the other hand, noted that PNoy’s report signaled his seriousness in fighting corruption.

Though the impeachment of past Chief Justice Renato Corona and the filing of charges against former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo are among his current achievements, he added that the fight should also include the entire supply chain of corruption.

“I am very pleased that the administration demands that public leaders should now be accountable and transparent in all of their transactions. I also affirmed PNoy’s social contract with the Filipino people. All these social commitments aligned in his daang matuwid would provide Filipinos the hope and the future to look forward to,” he told The Freeman.

He further hoped that the President will approve the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill in consonance with his objective of accountability that will lead to transparency and full disclosure.

Federigan also said that the clamor of certain sectors for Charter Change should be pursued and studied very well.

Although there is an urgent need to amend the Constitution in especially in areas of economic reforms, he said that is not the proper time to discuss if such revision will create political instability and stall the growing economy. (FREEMAN)