Cebu Chamber wins nat’l honors anew

THE Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry bagged the Most Outstanding Chamber title for the seventh time recently, the province’s business leaders said yesterday.

In last Tuesday’s press conference, chamber president Samuel Chioson, trustee Mario Panganiban and past presidents Francis O. Monera and Jose Ng said they are aiming to win the award next year to secure their third Hall of Famer award in 2013.

Monera said they won this year’s national award based on their leadership and dynamism, advocacy programs and participation in the activities of the Philippine national area and regional chambers.

Monera said the chamber entered the Hall of Fame in 1997 and again in 2007.

“If we (win next year) we will be the first chamber to get three Hall of Fame Award,” Monera said.

The chamber officials said next year’s Cebu Business Month celebration will be special because they will co-host the 26th Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) Convention.

“The event will also coincides with their centennial anniversary in 2013,” Panganiban said.

Panganiban said the chamber will still focus on priority industries like information communication technology and business process outsourcing, tourism, entrepreneurship and other sectors.

“We will continue with our advocacies in tandem with local government units and agencies like the Adopt a Police Station, Adopt a School and other programs that will help the whole community,” Chioson said.

Chioson also announced that their Cebu Goes Organic Fair event opens tomorrow and runs until Sunday at the Cebu International Convention Center.

“The fair aimes to encourage businessmen to invest in organic food and for consumers to be aware of organic products and how it can benefit our health,” Panganiban said. Reporter Aileen Garcia-Yap