New Cebu chamber president calls for more investments in Visayas, Mindanao

Local

THE newly installed president of the New Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. is calling on the national government to look beyond Metro Manila and invest more in the provinces, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao, amid mounting economic challenges facing the country.

“We asked for the national government to look also in the provinces, aside from the National Capital Region, look also into the Visayas and the Mindanao, because we too are Filipinos as well,” said Regan Rex King in an interview following his assumption as president of the chamber.

King stressed that economic growth should not be concentrated solely in Luzon and the NCR, saying Cebu and other provinces require stronger government support, especially in infrastructure development.

“The Philippines is not only NCR nasa Capital or Luzon, but we are also there to support, and we are also needing their help,” he said.

According to King, Cebu urgently needs more infrastructure projects, including roads and bridges connecting the northern and southern parts of the province, to address logistical bottlenecks and rising costs.

“Cebu needs more infrastructures to connect the north and the south, also roads, bridges, so if we have that, we will be able to solve our logistical problem,” he said, adding that improved connectivity could help temper inflation and spur economic activity.

King acknowledged that the country faces complex challenges, including slowing GDP growth, inflationary pressures, and concerns over corruption, but emphasized that solutions require collective action rather than blame-shifting.

“The problems we are facing is more than just one person can solve, one organization, one government can solve. It requires collaboration and tulong sa kapwa Cebuanos,” he said.

He said the chamber is promoting a “Padayon Cebu” campaign, which calls on all sectors to work together for Cebu’s continued growth and resilience.

“We want to call everybody to join us to make Cebu great. Makakaya natin yan, but we need the help of everyone,” King said.

Part of the chamber’s strategy under his leadership is to strengthen partnerships with national agencies and local stakeholders.

King said the organization has been coordinating with agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Science and Technology, and the Bureau of Customs, while discussions with the Bureau of Internal Revenue are expected soon.

He also highlighted the growing unity among Cebu’s business groups, noting that chambers from Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Talisay, Minglanilla, and Cebu City have agreed to work collectively instead of operating independently.

“We cannot work in silos, yung kanya-kanya mentality. In the end of the day, lahat ng ginagawa namin ay para ikalalago ng syudad ng Cebu,” King said.

Despite assuming office during a volatile period marked by geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, King said he does not necessarily see his presidency as more difficult than those of his predecessors.

“Each presidency have their own challenge,” he said, recalling how global tensions escalated shortly after he officially assumed office in March.

Still, King expressed confidence in the support coming from local government units, fellow business chambers, and the chamber’s officers and trustees.

“My presidency, I told my officers and trustees that I might be sitting as the president, but I will be listening to you. I am not Mr. Know-It-All. If they have good suggestions, I will follow them,” he said.(MyTVCebu)