Cebu biz sector happy with Aquino, expects more projects

CEBU’S business sector is satisfied with the achievements of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III in the last three years.

With the country’s aggregate economic figures surpassing growth estimates, businessmen are optimistic that with hard work from all sectors, led by Malacañang in the next three years the country might finally come out of being Asia’s economic sickman.

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) credits the president for establishing a good reputation for the Philippines to the global investor community.

Lito Maderazo, president of the CCCI, said the country’s good image to investors, as proven by credit rating upgrades, should now be translated into concrete investments. And government should better focus on implementing projects that will make the country more investment-ready especially in key cities like Cebu.

And the business sector wants the president to spell this out in his third State of the Nation Address on Monday.

“I did not see any major project being done in Cebu under his (Aquino) leadership except for the airport which is now in the bidding process. We need to see more support infrastructure projects however especially that Cebu is an economic hub and will likely attract more investors given the right support,” said Maderazo.

Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Philip N. Tan agreed with Maderazo.

“When you say support infrastructure, the first that comes to mind is the worsening traffic in Cebu. That should be addressed now. We need wider roads. Garbage disposal also needs to be addressed as development could aggravate problems like garbage disposal,” said Tan.

According to Cebu Business Club president Gordon Alan Joseph, the country is in good shape to build on the foundation that Aquino’s government has laid.

“We are doing better than we have ever done in the last 50 years. But this should be just the beginning. The areas the government must focus on are infrastructure, education, competitiveness and poverty alleviation through job creation. Any job creation and attracting foreign investments is where there has been the least progress,” said Joseph.

On infrastructure projects for Cebu, Joseph said that we need to solve traffic issues through comprehensive planning rather than “knee jerk reactions.”

“Cebu needs an integrated traffic management system that will include modern traffic light, widening of alternate roads to the major thoroughfares, a mass transit solution, possibly a third bridge to Mactan, the airport upgrade and expansion and urgently – storm water and flood management, sewage and solid waste management. These are basic and urgent,” said Joseph.

Bosconian International Chamber of Commerce president Ludwig O. Federigan said he’d rate Aquino’s performance with “8 out of 10.”

“Three years is too short for a president with good intentions and have a positive framework or vision. Generally, with the recent GDP (gross domestic product) of 7.8 percent and all financial institutions adjusting up their forecast on the country, I see a bright economy ahead. The government have to ensure that the projects contribute to our high growth and should translate into employment opportunities that will be felt by the ordinary people,” said Federigan.

Federigan said that infrastructure projects that will complement Cebu’s tourism industry like wide concrete roads in the city down to the countryside, sustainable mass transport system, another bridge to Mactan, a comprehensive drainage system, better port facilities and Small and Medium Enterprises access to financing to spur countryside entrepreneurship should be the next focus of the Aquino government.

Filipino-Cebuano Chamber of Commerce president Rey Calooy agreed with Federigan saying these projects should help encourage more entrepreneurship which is also a good way to create more jobs for the Filipinos.