CCCI is still undecided on refiling of ecozone bill

CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) has yet to arrive at a decision on whether it will push for the refiling of the bill creating the Cebu Economic Development Zone (CEDZ).

"We still have to meet with the CEDZ committee, and the CCCI board members and officials, to come with our decision whether to re-file the CEDZ bill," said CCCI president Samuel Chioson.

Last week, Cebu 5th District Rep. Ramon "Red" H. Durano VI expressed willingness to support the re-filing of the CEDZ in Congress this year, saying this bill can provide good economic future for Cebu province.

Although, this plan has been criticized by other sectors, recently by Cebu South District Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña, Durano said it has a good potential to be passed into law, as long as the proponent, the CCCI will strengthen its back-up features in this proposal that was approved in the previous Congress as House Bill No. 1319.

Durano, who was the chairman for economic affairs in the House of Representatives in the last Congress, hopes that majority of the Congressmen from Cebu would still support the re-filing of the bill.

According to Durano, it was during his chairmanship in the economic affairs of the House of Representative that the CEDZ proposal was approved and endorsed to the Senate.

"We saw it as the stronger tool to attract investors in the whole of Cebu. It will also develop places, normally investors won't go," Durano said.

According to Chioson, CCCI also has to meet with other Cebuano congressmen, and check if Rep. Eduardo Gullas had already re-filed the same Bill upon the opening of the 15th Congress.

CCCI is also considering the criticism of Rep. Osmeña, thus a thorough brain-storming will be held by the CCCI board members and CEDZ committee on what to do with the proposal.

Last month, Osmeña criticized the business sector's plan to make the whole province an economic zone. Osmeña told businessmen that the development of Cebu is based on its ability to get adjusted to globalization, and "not based on what you think."

He emphasized that if the CEDZ under the House Bill No. 1319, will be passed into law, the entire Cebu will be under the "chamber's" management. (THE FREEMAN)