THE San Simon Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (SSCCII) over the weekend publicly declared their support to the administration of Mayor Abundio Punsalan Jr.

Newly-elected SSCCII president and Regasco owner Arnel Ty said the business group is committed to supporting and augmenting the programs to be implemented by the local government under the leadership of Punsalan.

"As the new president of the chamber, along with the new and old members, we made a commitment of becoming more active in the community by partnering with the local government as well as implementing our programs that will help in the development of San Simon," Ty said.

Ty, a former LPGMA partylist representative, said that at present, two large fire trucks were donated by Regasco through the SSCCII to the local government to augment the equipment of the Bureau of Fire Protection.

He added that 14 ambulances for each barangays, fiberglass boats for rescue operations during calamities, as well as the construction of new public market -- through the sponsorship of Wan Chiong Steel Corporation owner and former SSCCII President Benjamin Co -- are also in the pipeline.

Ty also assured of the numerous corporate-social responsibility activities to be implemented by businesses in the town for the benefit of Simonians.

As the president, he said he also instructed SSCCII members to faithfully observe the memorandum with the local government of having 80 percent of employees as Simonians.

"These projects are our share for the development of San Simon and our form of thanksgiving to the municipality and the people for hosting our businesses here," he said.

Punsalan, for his part, expressed gratitude to the business chamber for their support to his administration.

He said the strong partnership between the private and public sector will be helpful in the implementation of projects and delivery of services to the people.

"As a first-termer mayor, every support we can get will be significant in the efficiency of our service and we are happy to know our friends from the business sector, whom I knew even before I decided to enter politics, are here to help us in San Simon," he said.