Saturday, May 10, 2008 PamCham voices trade concern over C. Luzon peace and order
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Pampanga businessmen have voiced out their concern Thursday morning over the present peace and order condition in Central Luzon, which the group said might adversely affect the roll of investment in the region.
This was gleaned in the regular "Kapihan", an informal get-together of members and officers of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (PamCham) held at the Residencia Romero in Barangay Baliti, here.
Rene Romero, PamCham president, said the business group -- the biggest in the province -- would like to create awareness among fellow members and businessmen regarding the "worsening peace and order situation in the province."
"We want to make authorities aware that businessmen are not oblivious of the problem and are proactive in trying to come up with solutions to these," Romero said.
Proof of their preemptive response to the series of crimes committed in Pampanga which smack of deteriorating peace and order condition, the Kapihan focused on the issues that have cropped up in the media over the past few days regarding crimes committed in this city, Angeles City and other towns of Pampanga.
Several business establishments in the province, although not members of PamCham, have fallen prey to criminal elements recently.
The business group, Romero said, has decided to step up since the region cannot afford to sacrifice security of businesses.
"Investors may shy away from Pampanga and the region if the problem is not addressed," he said.
Romero also urged the members to be more vigilant as they have already been given information of several modus operandi of criminal groups.
"We want to send a strong message to the criminal elements that businessmen are aware of what is happening and make the lawless elements aware that the business sector is very vigilant and will take necessary actions," Romero said.
Conrad Garcia, one of the province's top real estate planners, said industrial peace is critical to achieve industrial revolution in the region.
"The business sector must come together and fight lawless elements to protect respective business interests," he said.
PamCham, Romero added, would bring the businessmen's concerns before local government officials to enjoin them in coming up with a holistic approach to resolve the problem regarding peace and order.
Local government units (LGUs), he said, should make a concerted approach in solving peace and order concerns to make these more effective in combating lawless elements. (ABL)
