IN ANTICIPATION of the economic benefits that the third Cebu-Mactan bridge would bring, the business sector in Cordova formed a local chapter of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

Lawyer Jessica Banzon-Natad, local economic and investment promotions officer and consultant of Cordova, said the creation of the chapter will help the business sector and the local government.

“The mayor told me that we needed to organize the business sector to help the LGU in promoting the municipality since the third bridge is already there. More businesses are expected to come,” she said.

The Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway is currently under construction and is slated for completion in 2021.

It links the municipality of Cordova to the South Road Properties in Cebu City, providing an alternate route going to the Mactan Cebu International Airport.

The P22.6-billion expressway, once finished, will provide fast and convenient travel for motorists, as it will significantly reduce the distance between Cordova and Cebu City to 8.5 kilometers from 20.7 kilometers.

Officers of the CCCI Cordova chapter were inducted during the general membership meeting and annual election of officers held at Casino Español de Cebu on Friday, Feb. 22.

Natad said there are about 500 businesses thriving in Cordova, a diverse mix of micro, small, medium and large enterprises.

“We have a few large companies and many small ones. Tourism is our main thrust. Mayor Marie Therese Sitoy-Cho wants to promote Cordova as an eco-tourism destination in Cebu,” she said.

She said they now have 15 active members who make up the board of CCCI Cordova.

“If they are organized, it will make it easier for the LGU to address any concerns. Mayor wanted them to form a group and articulate their concerns so only one will face the mayor and the council, and they can compromise and see how they would address the issues of the private sector,” she said.

Natad added that the private sector is always a partner in the development of Cordova.

“That’s her main goal, why she wanted the business sector to be organized,” she said.

She said they have under their fold resorts, restaurants, health care providers and schools.

The CCCI elected its new board members and will vote on a new set of officers, including the president, on Feb. 28. The new president is set to assume on March 1.

The current president is Consul Antonio Chiu.