TCCI rolls out programs to foster business growth

CEBU, Philippines — Talisay City’s Chamber of Commerce has announced two new programs to boost investment and strengthen ties with local government as part of efforts to position the city as a key business hub in Cebu.

Speaking at the induction of the Chamber’s new officers on August 11, Talisay Chamber of Commerce a d Industry (TCCI) newly elected president Macario “Carl” Cabusas II said the organization’s focus under his term will be to “listen first, act with integrity, and turn practical programs into measurable results for our MSMEs.

Cabusas, a former motoring columnist, has formally proposed two major projects to the office of Vice Mayor Choy Aznar for discussion and potential implementation.

The first, “Talisay Business Month,” will mark the city’s first month-long celebration of enterprise and innovation. Scheduled every weekend in October, it will feature curated exhibits, trade fairs, business forums, and networking events to showcase both emerging and established industries.

“This initiative will not only highlight the dynamism of our local enterprises but also reinforce the City Government’s role in creating an ecosystem conducive to entrepreneurial growth,” Cabusas said. “By promoting our homegrown sectors, we aim to foster local pride while attracting external investors and strategic partners.”

The second program, “Project Alpha: Talisay Towards the Future,” seeks to convene a multidisciplinary advisory consortium composed of economists, urban planners, environmentalists, IT experts, educators, and entrepreneurs.

The think tank will conduct an independent assessment of Talisay’s strengths, challenges, and untapped opportunities to produce data-driven recommendations for the city’s economic positioning.

According to Cabusas the Project Alpha will serve as a “planning nucleus” to help the city government market Talisay as a future-ready investment destination, backed by grounded insights and a shared economic vision.

The Chamber’s new leadership team, which includes Vice Presidents Lendice Marie Cal and Rey Nerius Calooy, Treasurer Kenneith Ngosiok, Secretary Atty. Julius Ybarita, and a roster of trustees from various industries, has pledged to work closely with both the private and public sectors.

Mayor Sam Sam Gullas, who attended the induction ceremony alongside city officials and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Cebu (PCCI) vice president for the Visayas Melanie Ng, lauded the Chamber’s initiatives, saying they align with Talisay’s long-term growth priorities.