TO REVIVE the local economy of Cebu in this time of pandemic, entrepreneurship must bloom in the barangay level, a business leader said.

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) immediate past president Virgilio Espeleta said the business sector should partner with the local government units (LGUs) to rekindle and strengthen the entrepreneurial spirit of Cebuanos.

“We should create opportunities in the grassroots, and we need to help in developing a barangay-level business ecosystem development program. Among them is our entrepreneurial marketing and mentoring modules and where the city needs a lot of help,” said Espeleta during CCCI’s general membership meeting conducted virtually.

Espeleta said the business community should work hand in hand with the LGU officials in crafting such recovery program.

“We should assist the LGU in developing a masterplan program to strengthen sufficiency and resiliency,” he said.

Espeleta also stressed that there is a need to redeem the image of Cebu, which became the pandemic’s center of attraction by “capitalizing on its good image and confidence on the CCCI.”

“This is a given with the vast experience and the deep pool of talents of this (CCCI) membership. Let’s us go back to where we were before Covid, strongly partnering with the Cebu LGU in areas of collaboration and partnership,” he said.

Initiatives

Espeleta said industries should be converged with advocacies that can influence legislation and economic policies.

He cited several initiatives that can influence the economic revival of Cebu.

First is to revive and implement the pre-Covid partnership agenda with the Cebu City Government. Second is to craft a clear, doable, high-impact Pandemic Economic Development Agenda and third is to invite strategically fit investors.

He also stressed the need to lobby for grants, incentives and a stimulus package to entrepreneurs and offer assistance by providing experts in the LGU administration, implementing a key performance indicator-driven system and digitizing LGU processes. (JOB)