Business leaders dub Duterte’s speech as “sincere, direct”

CEBU, Philippines - Immediately after President Rodrigo Duterte was sworn into office, the Cebu business sector dubbed the inaugural speech of the first ever Philippine chief executive from Mindanao, as “most sincere and direct.”

"We could feel the sincerity of the new President. His vision only made possible with our utmost cooperation, fighting corruption, criminality and war on drugs, the basic foundation of how our country can move forward peacefully," said Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) past president Phillip Tan.

What directly caught the attention of the Cebu capitalists was when Duterte, in his 15-minute inaugural speech, called on concerned Cabinet secretaries to reduce bureaucratic red tape.

"Therefore, I direct all department secretaries and the heads of agencies to reduce requirements and the processing time of all applications, from the submission to the release. I order all department secretaries and heads of agencies to remove redundant requirements and compliance with one department or agency, shall be accepted as sufficient for all.  I order all department secretaries and heads of agencies to refrain from changing and bending the rules government contracts, transactions and projects already approved and awaiting implementation. Changing the rules when the game is on-going is wrong. I abhor secrecy and instead advocate transparency in all government contracts, projects and business transactions from submission of proposals to negotiation to perfection and finally, to consummation," the President said in his speech yesterday.

"It is commendable that he told the Cabinet Secretaries to immediately reduce red tape, processes, remove redundancy. This will greatly aid ease of doing business and promote growth," said Melanie Ng, president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

All the more, Ng said the private sector will strengthen its partnership with the government joining the path of the Duterte-led government to improve people's trust in governance.

The business leaders also believe the consistency of President Duterte’s platform for genuine change.

"We are optimistic and confident. President Duterte is direct and consistent with its message of change," said new MCCI president Glenn Soco.

According to Soco, the President's presence in Malacañang and his leadership already commands seriousness in governance and in getting the job done in its reform agenda across all sectors of society.

"In business, we can only expect a stronger collaboration and participation in nation building," added Soco.  (FREEMAN)