Social reform confab set

CEBU, Philippines - A nationwide affiliation of independent business clubs will hold a one-day conference in Cebu City on June 11 to discuss several reform measures that could address the country’s socioeconomic problems and strengthen its network.

This will be the first Independent Business Clubs Conference organized by the Makati Business Club and the Cebu Business Club with the theme “Facing old challenges, forging new engagement.”

The event will be held at the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu at 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Distinguished speakers such as Jose Cuisia Jr., Chito Salazar, Peter Wallace and Rep. Teofisto Guingona III were invited.

The main segment will be an open discourse dubbed as “Key challenges for progressive Philippines” with special guest speakers Senator Francis Escudero, Senator Mar Roxas II and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Jr.

They will provide their views on education, reforming the budget process, good governance and the proposed Philippine Economic Roadmap for 2010 and beyond.

“This event aims to strengthen the links between the clubs, the value of which can be reflected through shared information and studies, joint cooperation on projects for wider implementation and as the need may arise, taking a unified stand on issues they agree on,” MBC executive director Alberto Lim said.

“We are hoping that the output of the conference will not only be to agree on a way to communicate with each other but to engage in project we can undertake together,” Lim added.

Lim said that it is important for business communities in all regions to be enlightened on significant issues such as education, fiscal reforms and good governance especially in the light of the upcoming election.

“This gathering gives us a chance to know who among the candidates carry the issue we care about,” Lim said. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)