By MALOU M. MOZO MANDAUE CITY, Cebu — Leaders of the different trade chambers in the Visayas are expected to draft a collective resolution concerning pressing issues plaguing the country’s economy during the 17th Visayas Area Business Conference (VABC) to be held here.
This year’s VABC, to be hosted by the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), will be held on Aug. 15 at the Cebu International Convention Center. It will be among the highlights of the celebration of the Mandaue Business Month (MBM) that will kick off on Aug. 8.
Jose Ng, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) vice president for Visayas, said this year’s VABC will discuss trade, infrastructure and tourism activities, as well as policy suggestions arising from
"very urgent topics," such as rising cost of fuel and food security.
"We will let the government hear our voice. This will be a collective resolution on the urgent topics that need attention because these affect the business sector, especially in the Visayas," Ng said in an interview following yesterday’s press conference.
Ng assured though that there will be "no lengthy discussions" regarding the drafting of the resolution as he anticipates that the participating chambers will have already tackled the issues at meetings held before the VABC.
The collective resolution passed in the VABC, together with the resolutions of four other satellite area business conferences organized by PCCI in North Luzon, South Luzon, National Capital Region, and Mindanao, will then be collated in time for the Philippine Business Conference set in October.
The Visayas chapter of PCCI has 16 active chambers. These are Aklan Ati-Atihan, Antique, Ilo-ilo, Boracay, Capiz, Cebu, Consolacion, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Leyte, Mandaue, Metro Bacolod, Negros Oriental, Ormoc, Samar, and Siquijor.
MCCI expects some 200 delegates at VABC, noting Cebu’s strategic location.
Also during the VABC, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia will talk about inter-island trade and tourism as a tool to strengthen inter-province ties.
Garcia had earlier announced the provincial government’s donation of RR2 million for the MBM 2008, which will be celebrated in tandem with the Province of Cebu’s founding anniversary.
Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes also pledged R1 million for the month-long celebration.
Manila Bulletin