SPEAKING to more than 500 business leaders and owners under the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), incoming Cebu City mayor Edgardo Labella assured them of an inclusive business environment.

Labella also commented on the state of outgoing Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s office, which was stripped of its fixtures and furniture.

“I just found out this morning. I don’t know what happened, but I could see some holes. The tiles were removed. The pipes, the electric connection’s gone. Well, of course, your guess is as good as mine,” he said during a short speech at the Grand Chamber Awards and Fellowship Night on Friday, June 28, 2019.

This elicited laughter from the audience.

“I am not the type to cast aspersions, also hurl invectives and engage in mudslinging against anyone,” Labella said.

Business leaders also applauded after Labella reiterated the new proposal for the renewal of the business taxes.

“One of the things that we would do and I would like to introduce to the members of the Sanggunian (City Council) during our legislative agenda meeting is to see to it that the renewal of business permits could be done once every two years only,” he said.

Labella said if the CCCI and its members have any concerns, they are welcome to approach him.

“I am always available, and you don’t need to go to the office. Public officials are not supposed to be masters but servants of the people,” he said. (JOB)