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Tuesday, November 08, 2005
CCCI prexy appointed to GMA’s reform team
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has included the Cebu province in its economic reform consultation by appointing Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Robert Go as part of the admi-nistration’s economic reform team.
Go is glad the President has given Cebu a chance to be represented in her economic reform team, which is composed of more than 10 leaders of business organizations and businessmen from all industries.
Some of the members of the economic team are Makati Business Club’s Guillermo Luz, SM Prime Holdings’ Hans Sy, Manuel Lopez, Doris Magsaysay-Ho, Caesar Virata, Jaime Zobel de Ayala, Francisco Lim of the Philippine Stock Exchange and Peter Wallace.
Finance Secretary Margarito Teves and Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila are part of the team.
During the grand launching of the Cebu Hilton Resort and Spa, Arroyo said part of her plan is to mobilize the country’s business sector for wealth creation in the country “with the end goal of (the Philippines) being a first world country in 20 years.”
She specifically asked Cebu’s support on this endeavor.
“You (Cebu) gave me the mandate to become the President of the Philippines. Help me build the hopes and dreams of the young,” Arroyo said.
First world
In an interview, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) vice president for the Visayas Carlos Co told Sun.Star Cebu the President’s long-term goal of making the country a first world nation in 20 years is attainable as long as everybody in the government cooperates.
“(It is possible) as long as there will be less politicking,” he said.
In a separate interview, PCCI regional governor-Visayas Jose Ng also said this is feasible if the government has the political will and determination to implement its plans, especially the reformed value-added tax.
With regard to Congress’ plan to pass a legislation to increase daily wages, Ng said this effort is “too early and the P125 increase needs basis.”
Aside from pointing out that Congress has no authority to distinguish wage increases, he said the government has not seen yet the extent of the impact, which should be the basis of the increase, of the implementation of the RVAT.
“Dili na ingon ana ka sayon (It’s not that easy). There should be a basis for the increase. If the businessmen see that an increase is really needed, I’m sure they will give the increase. (If they will continue to put unreasonable pressure,) time will come that businessmen will pack things up and not invest in the country,” Ng said. (JBN)
(November 8, 2005 issue)
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