IN ITS bid to further promote business in Pampanga and Central Luzon, the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (PamCham) recently signed a sisterhood agreement with Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Quezon City headed by Sarah P. Deloraya-Mateo.
Renato G. Romero, PamCham president, said the partnership is a two-way relationship that aims to enhance the knowledge, capabilities, and opportunities of both chambers.
They have agreed to undertake joint meetings, programs, projects, services, and business enterprises that will be mutually beneficial for the development of their members and respective communities.
Romero said they also vowed to jointly advocate for better policies on business and trade, and will provide assistance and relief in case of emergencies and disasters.
"Establishing an active and dynamic relationship with other business chambers is very important and valuable because for each successful network, we gain unlimited opportunities for business promotions and business advocacies. PamCham gives priority to these sisterhood activities because we want to share and exchange knowledge, information, experiences, and aspirations with the rest of the business sector groups around the country. And such relationships provide wisdom and maturity to PamCham," Romero said.
PamCham sits in the provincial and regional development councils, representing the business sector and usually participates in determining and shaping development projects for Pampanga and other provinces in Central Luzon.
Romero said the chamber's wide and rich experience constitute to the over-all outlook of the organization in relation to government programs and projects.
"Most often than not, the programs and projects that we recommend to LGUs (local government units) or to the national government are products of our shared experiences in the business sector," Romero said.
New developments
During the signing of the sisterhood deal with PCCI-QC, Romero proudly shared new developments in Clark and Pampanga.
He mentioned Clark City, dubbed the "City of the Future," where the national government poured in major infrastructure under its "Build, Build, Build" program.
"This infrastructure development alone can catapult the economy at its highest potential, not only of Pampanga and Tarlac, but of the entire Region 3," he said.
Next is the state-of-the-art New Clark Terminal 2 which is expected to be in full operation next year and can cater to 12.2 million passengers annually. Plans are underway for the second runway of the Clark International Airport.
Clark International Airport terminal is operated by the Luzon International Premiere Airport Development (Lipad) corporation, a consortium comprised of Filinvest Development Corporation, JG Summit Holdings Inc., Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions Inc., and Changi Airports Philippines Pt. Ltd.
Romero also cited the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games from November 30 to December 11 to which Clark is the host. The Athlete's Village that will house more than 8,000 competing athletes is inside the New Clark City, along with the Aquatic Center and the Athletics Stadium. All three SEA Games facilities are now very close to completion.
"The 30th SEA Games is historic for Pampanga. But for us in PamCham, it is significantly poignant because in February this year, before his untimely demise in April, our dear departed Chairman Emeritus Levy P. Laus was able to negotiate the holding of three major indoor competition games, - the Judo, the Jujitsu, and the Kurash competition - at the LausGroup Event Centre in the City of San Fernando," Romero said.
He also invited everyone to witness the 111th Giant Lantern Festival on December 14, 2019. (Minerva Zamora-Arceo/Contributor)