Do more, Cebu business leaders urge P-Noy

CEBU’S  big business and local officials lauded yesterday President Benigno Aquino III’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), but urged the chief executive to do more to move the country’s economy forward.

As local militant groups took to the streets anew to list down a litany of the president’s failures, business leaders called on President Aquino to build better infrastructure and expand existing ones like airports and road networks.

Prudencio Gesta, president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said while he grades the SONA as a “very good report”, he wished that the President answered such issues as reducing power costs.

“I wish the President answered how to reduce power costs since we have the highest in Asia, his plans on improving airports/seaports and better roads to achieve his 10 million tourists target as well as fighting corruption,” he said.

Former CCCI President Samuel Chioson lauded the President for mentioning the expansion of the Mactan Cebu International Airport, saying it will boost Cebu’s status as regional hub for the Visayas and Mindanao.

In a statement Philip N. Tan, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, said the President’s SONA showed that while change cannot happen overnight, he believes the country’s economy will continue to grow.

Gregg Gabison, Cebu Education Development Foundation for Information Technology president, voiced elation over the President’s acknowledgement of the IT sector’s contributions.

He said he wished that President Aquino will revisit the proposed creation of the Department of Information Communication and Technology that they think will ensure the industry’s continued growth.

For his part, Cebu Investments and Promotions Center managing director Joel Mari Yu said implementing the use of the English language for instruction must be continued to provide a steady labor source for outsourcing companies.

While Reps. Tomas Osmeña and Rachel del Mar of Cebu City’s south and north districts were impressed with the SONA, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said the President’s presentation was measurable.

“Cebu City was even part of the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector growth that he was talking about.  We are also part of the increases in tourism arrivals and recipients of infrastructure projects,” he said.

Hotel, Resorts and Restaurants Association of Cebu president Hans Hauri said while the government created a National Tourism Development Plan as a blueprint for achieving the 10 million tourist target, much still needs to be done.

These include removing the common carrier and gross billing taxes, decongesting the Ninoy Aquino international airport, cancellation of unused air agreements and spearheading investments on tourist attractions, among others.

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa general manager Efren Belarmino also pushed for expanding airports and seaports while Islands Group president Jay Aldeguer called on local governments to help clean and ensure safety in their tourist spots.

In Mandaue City, Councilor Diosdado Suico said he wished that President Aquino elaborated on his infrastructure plans while Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza said she wanted to know if the President will increase the share of LGUs.

In Cebu City, Councilors Joey Daluz III and Alvin Dizon each rated as good the President’s SONA as they lauded his administration’s campaign to fight corruption in government.

But both admit that significant economic progress won’t be achieved anytime soon.

“While it’s true that the inflation rate and unemployment rate went down, there’s no significant progress in our economy,” Dizon said.

As far as the President’s anti-graft campaign is concerned, Regional Trial Court Judge Meinrado Paredes said he rates it an “8”. He cited the ouster of former chief justice Renato Corona as an example.

“I’m not saying the administration is perfect. But compared to the time of former president Gloria Arroyo, there is really a change,” Paredes said.

Earl Bonachita, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Cebu City chapter, agreed.

But Paredes said Aquino failed to discipline his subordinates when it comes to extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearance, human rights and journalists killings.  “There is something we call command responsibility,” he said.

Paredes said he hopes the president will increase the budget for the judiciary which is less than one percent of the entire national budget.

He said the court workers should receive enough benefits like the judges.

Militant groups also had their say on the President’s SONA with Teody Navea, spokesman of the Bukluran ng Mga Manggawang Pilipino (BMP) saying the Aquino government earned a 70 percent grade for failing to resolve poverty.

After a march from Fuente Osmeña to Colon Street at past 10 am, they held a People’s SONA until past 12 noon and capped their program by throwing blue and red paint on a photo of the President. /Aileen Garcia-Yap, Reporter with Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac, Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol and Correspondents Fe Marie Dumaboc, Jhunnex Napallacan and Tweeny M. Malinao and SWU intern Agnes Domasig