Cebu business leaders happy with SONA

CEBU, Philippines - The business sector in Cebu is happy with the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday.

Melanie Ng, president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), said it is noteworthy that Duterte placed emphasis on pursuing peace and order.

"I liked that the President started the SONA stating that it is because we have to protect investors and investments as the reason why he is relentless in the fight against the proliferation of drugs," Ng said.

Going off-script, Duterte said he will not stop running after drug lords, as the problem of drugs is the root of the problem of peace and order. He said stopping the fight against drugs would mean weakening the social and economic fabric of the country.

Glenn Soco, president of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) shares Ng’s sentiment.

“We are very much satisfied with the SONA of the president.  We saw in him his sincerity and pursuit in installing peace and order in our country," Soco said.

He said Duterte’s candor and way of delivering a message "makes you feel involved and inspired to partake in making our country better.”

The business leaders also commended the President's pledge to spend more on infrastructure - about US$160 million to US$180 million until 2022.

"We welcome the infrastructure program of the president where he aims to spend 7% of GDP on much needed infrastructure projects.  Overall, we find his performance astounding," Soco said.

The President's serious mention of climate change, food security and food production, and the implementation of functional and effective disaster resiliency response is something the business sector considers as a good platform to protect the Philippines’ upswing growth path.

"We hope that the various government agencies will have clear and effective programs that will address these concerns whereby we in the private sector can also collaborate with them especially as we have programs and thrusts in this respect too," Ng said.

What the private sector in Cebu is hoping for, Ng said, is to see a considerable slice of this planned infrastructure budget.

"We also hope to hear a reaffirmation of the economic plans of the administration, especially as the Department of Trade and Industry has been working tirelessly to promote business and economic prosperity for our country," Ng said.

Tourism capitalist Jay Aldeguer said that while the President's SONA was generally good and a bit predictable, there should have been more quantitative results presented "so there’s some amount of measurement to his performance."

On mining issue in which the President spent a considerable amount of time discussing the disastrous effects of irresponsible mining, Aldeguer said Duterte showed his straightforward empathy on the controversial issue.

Duterte has vowed to expand benefits of the country from the mining industry by putting a stop on exportation of raw mineral materials extracted here.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia is also satisfied by the president’s address.

"The president's SONA was very complete. It addressed all problems of the country. I salute the president and rally behind his good programs to improve the country," he said.

Councilor Sisinio Andales, however, shared a different view.

He said he was expecting for Duterte to tackle the possible postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections

"For two hours, Digong did not discuss the postponement of barangay and SK elections, implying the election will proceed. Digong as a habit, made again profane words against his critics," he said.

Described as the President message in his fierce advocacy of "comfortable life for all," this year's SONA was 30 minutes longer than last year's 1.32 hours. – With Odessa O. Leyson/JMO