Duterte assures support to Cebu business sector

CEBU, Philippines - President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has assured Cebuano businessmen  of his support, saying the country finally has a leader from  the south after almost 60 long years.

"Let me assure our Cebuano businessmen, professionals and our  small and medium enterprises which are the backbone of our  economy of my support as your new president," Duterte said in  his message to the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, read  by CCCI President Melanie Ng before members of the chamber  during its general membership meeting late Friday.

Duterte was invited to the CCCI meeting but unfortunately did  not make it due to busy schedule.

Duterte is appointing Cebuano businessman Michael Dino as his  presidential assistant for Visayas to take charge of the needs  of Cebu and the region.

"Aron magpadayon ang paglambo sa Cebu ug sa tibuok Visayas,  akong gi-appoint usa ka batan-on, si Michael Dino, sama ninyo  usa ka negosyante isip presidential assistant for Visayas. Siya  ug inubanan sa mga bag-ong opisyales nga maoy moabag kanako nga  mahatagan og daling pagtagad ang mga panginahanglan sa Cebu ug  tibuok Kabisay-an," the Bisaya-speaking Duterte said.

Duterte recalled that on January 25, 2015, he came to Cebu to  advocate a shift from the present highly centralized unitary  system of governance to a federal system.

"I spoke before students of the University of Cebu and some  members of the business community. My advocacy did not resonate  with Cebuanos yet. But a small group of young businessmen and  professionals took up my cause here in Cebu City. They spread  the advocacy through social media," Duterte.

Duterte has been vocal of his advocacy for federalism, a  governance system wherein entities in the region share power  with the central government.

Many are hoping that his federal system of governance would  finally end "Manila Imperialism" and that growing cities like  Cebu would get a fair share of the national budget.

Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry past president Philip  Tan had earlier lamented that Cebu is not getting much of the  national budget. He said being fair to Cebu is what the  incoming administration should prioritize.

"Manila is always a showcase and we (Cebu) is just secondary,"  Tan had said. (FREEMAN)