Biz sector calls for unity among Cebu City officials

CEBU, Philippines - The business sector in Cebu, through the Cebu Business Club (CBC), is calling on the Cebu City government to put their act together to push development for Cebu, stressing that disunity between the Mayor and the council hampers Cebu’s growth.

“The business sector doesn’t understand the reasons for the dysfunctional relationship between the Mayor and the Cebu City council,” said CBC president Gordon Alan “Dondi” Joseph in an interview yesterday.

Joseph said the local government specifically in Cebu should set aside any political colors in terms of pushing programs, and policies for the City, as this is viewed as an anti-development.

In fact, what is happening is holding back the development for City, considering that Cebu is considered as one of the fastest growing economies in the Philippines.

At this stage, the Cebu City LGU should plan for greater programs, not just focusing on their “political colors”, and hit the expectations of the people that put them there.

Despite the good performance of Cebu economically in the last few years, it has to work harder now in terms of trail blazing with the growing number of population and private developments, in terms of providing necessary infrastructure and service improvement and supply in basic necessities.

In tourism for instance, which is one of Cebu’s economic backbones, a proper tourism roadmap should be implemented immediately, otherwise, Cebu will lose this “golden” opportunity if not being complemented by sound plan and proper infrastructure, and promotion support by the local government.

Meanwhile, Joseph mentioned that while private sector players are now expressing interest to bid for the management of the Mactan Cebu International Airport is a good indication that the confidence for business is here.

Joseph, who is a former board member of the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) said that whoever will be given the chance to manage the airport should allot some of the revenues for “tourism promotion.”

This is very important, he said because tourism is one of the huge contributors to airport’s revenue.

Tourism related programs should be started using some revenue of the airport. After-all he said “the more tourists to come to Cebu, the more revenue for the airport.” — (FREEMAN)