CLARK FREEPORT -- A top leader of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce (PamCham) has underscored the business group’s thrust that supports good governance.

During a forum with the Pampanga Press Club at Widus Hotel, PamCham president Rene Romero said their chamber assists local government units to spur business and economic development.

“If you will see us, we participate in governance. We help and we ask help from our local officials so that the area will be developed because we believe that a place will be progressive, through good governance, and there will be business and economic development,” Romero said.

The business leader said his administration under PamCham has two thrusts - promotion of business development and advocacy for development of Pampanga and Central Luzon.

These thrusts, according to Romero, focus on five pillars including economic development, social development, business development, environmental protection, and good governance.

PamCham is planning to submit a “wish list” or legislative agenda to the provincial governor and local chief executives in the province, Romero said.

In Pampanga, there is a comprehensive development plan called Megalopolis prepared by urban planner Architect Felino “Jun” Palafox Jr., the executive added.

Under this development plan, there will be a circumferential road that will link the cities and towns in the province. The government however is still waiting for funding to implement the project, Romero said.

The business chamber is also set to coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and local government units in Pampanga to construct a circumferential road on existing roads.

“We will no longer wait to get right of way to link Pampanga’s four districts. We have roads, they may be narrow but we have DPWH to widen them,” Romero said.

There will be a free flow of products in the province if the circumferential road is established, the PamCham head added.