Moved by the poverty caused by the still persisting pandemic, a group of respected and well –known captains of the industry in the country has banded together to form Sulong Pasay, a civic organization aimed at helping the local government recover from the pandemic by putting up more businesses and attracting investors to generate work and employment in the city.
MAYOR Emi Calixto-Rubiano has lauded civic group Sulong Pasay following its launch today ( June 4) , which is arguably the country’s first public-private initiative, aimed at helping the local government weather pandemic- induced economic difficulties.
SULONG PASAY LAUNCHED. Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano (center) receives the manifesto from the organizers of Sulong Pasay, a civic-organization composed of well-known business leaders who banded together to help the local government recover from pandemic by putting more businesses in the city. Also in the picture are Philippine Chamber of Commerce Inc. (PCCI) Chairman Alegria Limjoco, PCCI President Emeritus and PhilExport Chairman George Barcelon, PCCI President Ambassador Benedicto V. Yujuico, PhilExport President Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr. and former Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor. Also with the group but not in the photo are Philippine Stock Exchange Chairman Jose Pardo, Injap Sia and Philippine Hotel Owners Association President Arthur Lopez. (MIKE TABOY)
In her speech, the mayor hailed the organizers as she vowed to fully support the initiatives of the group especially on programs that are designed to help the local government in its economic recovery efforts.
She also pointed out that it was worth noting that the city government did everything it can within its powers to keep businesses in the city open even during the height of the pandemic.
“Ginawa po natin ang lahat ng magagawa upang mapanatiling bukas ang mga negosyo sa lungsod at kasabay din po nito ay pinag-ibayo natin ang mga hakbang para mapababa ang mga kaso ng Covid-19,” she said.
Sulong Pasay is composed of city-based respected industry leaders among them Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Chairman Alegria Limjoco, PCCI President Emeritus and PhilExport Chairman George Barcelon, PCCI President Ambassador Benedicto V. Yujuico, PhilExport President Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr. and former Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor.
In her speech, the mayor also appealed to the business leaders to prioritize the hiring of local residents in their businesses which is one way of creating employment and livelihood opportunities for them.
In its manifesto, Sulong Pasay said “it is our mission to help attract more investors in Pasay to create more jobs and revenues during this health crisis”.
It also vowed to make the city as the most modern urban enclave in the country.
“To achieve these, we will assist the local government in developing long-term economic plans as well as help organize various sectors within the city such as those in business, the academe, the church, the workers, the women, the youth and the urban poor,” the group added.
Not present, but who joined via Zoom is Philippine Stock Exchange Chairman Jose Pardo.
In his speech, Pardo said Sulong Pasay is the country's first public-private partnership initiative that can be emulated all over the country.
For his part, Ortiz-Luis Jr. narrated that what prompted them to form the movement was their sheer desire to help the people especially the poor who were severely affected by the pandemic.
He added that before organizing the group, their team interviewed people within the community who were directly affected by the pandemic.
It was after the interviews that they decided to take matters into their own hands and lend their help and support to the local government.
He added that among the assistance they can provide were helping develop long-term economic plans and invite more investors to the city.
Sulong Pasay’s policy declarations include pro-people and pro-God development thrust, development paradigm that is from Pasayeños, of Pasayeños, and for Pasayeños.
It will also insist on “Pasayeño First” policy in development efforts and will make collaborative approaches with government, various sectors and other stakeholders
Likewise, it vows to shun conflict-confrontational approaches and initiate development that respects the environment, culture and heritage.
Tags: # PCCI, #MayorCalixto-Rubiano, #Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., #business, #NGO