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Monday, March 29, 2004
Tourism office move mulled
CEBU-BASED businessmen are pleased with President Arroyo’s inclination to relocate the National Tourism Office to Cebu, saying this is a sign the President has recognized Cebu’s tourism potential.
“I’m glad the President has recognized Cebu to have equal footing with Manila (in tourism). (If relocation of the office pushes through,) this will be very good for Cebu and the country in general,” said Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) newly inducted president Robert Go.
The chamber has identified tourism, along with information and communications technology, as the drivers of Cebu’s economy.
CCCI has been helping the Cebu tourism industry stakeholders unite in the promotion of Cebu.
Last year, Cebu accounted for 15.5 percent of foreign tourist arrivals to the country.
President Arroyo inducted the new CCCI officers and members at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel Friday.
During her speech, Arroyo praised Cebu, then dangled the accomplishments of her administration to woo businessmen to favor her over other presidential aspirants come national elections in May.
“Cebu has always been self-sufficient compared to the rest of the country. It has a resilient economy,” she said.
“(During my term) I was able to turn the economy around and clean the mess we inherited (from former president Joseph Estrada). I have more than doubled job opportunities in the country, released more than P20 billion for small and medium enterprise loans, forged friendly ties with foreign nations, stabilized peace and order…
She said if given a fresh mandate, she would continue these efforts and also make the Philippines a rice exporter.
Arroyo also said she had signed a memorandum of understanding for the preservation of the Luyang River in Carmen, Cebu, which will supply 50,000 cubic meters of water to the Metropolitan Cebu Water District every day; and for the latest Cebu interconnection award that will double its capacity to supply electricity from 200 to 400 megawatts by December 2005. JBN
(March 29, 2004 issue)
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