CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- The Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc. (Oro Chamber) unveiled its strategic directives for this year, aiming to fortify its position as the voice of the business sector in Cagayan de Oro and enhance government-private sector collaboration to propel the city towards prosperity.
Dr. Jesus Jardin, the president of Oro Chamber, provided an explanation of the L.E.A.D. framework at the organization's first quarter general assembly, which took place at the VIP Hotel on March 22. L.E.A.D. stands for legislative priorities, engagement with partners and stakeholders, advocacy and active participation, and development of internal processes, epitomizing the chamber's commitment to driving economic growth and prosperity not just in the city but also for the region.
Jardin underscored the importance of the first priority: engaging with government bodies and legislators at both national and local levels. He highlighted the Oro Chamber's proactive engagement in the legislative process as crucial in shaping policies and directions that directly impact businesses.
Among the legislative priorities the Oro Chamber intends to pursue are Cagayan de Oro's zoning ordinance, local investment and incentive code, green building code, and start-up ordinance, as well as the city's Comprehensive Land Use Plan, Transportation Master Plan, and Tourism Code.
The second priority centers on maintaining positive rapport with regulatory agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue to foster a conducive business environment that fuels growth and innovation.
Oro Chamber President, Dr. Jesus Jardin, explained the L.E.A.D directives during the first quarter general assembly of the organization held at VIP Hotel on March 22. The directives involved enhancing the Oro chamber’s influence and impact on Legislation, strengthening the government, industry, and community Engagement, actively promoting Advocacies on ease of doing business, innovation, and green economy that protect and safeguard the businesses, and improving internal processes to Develop a sustainable business chamber. (Photo: DCC/PIA-10)
Jardin also elucidated the third priority, which is advocacy, particularly for a green, sustainable, and resilient business community. These include the Northern Mindanao Regional Innovation Program and Exhibit scheduled for April 22–24, in coordination with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-10, the Department of Science and Technology, and the DTI-10.
"We will also be having our Northern Mindanao Transportation Summit. I think it is high time that we coordinate all our efforts to ensure that transportation is seamless in the city of Cagayan de Oro and adjoining municipalities," he said.
Other advocacy activities lined up by the Oro Chamber include the Elevate Agriculture Convention and the Cagayan de Oro Startup Summit in July, the Housing and Construction Congress in August in partnership with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, the Mindanao Rubber Summit in September in cooperation with NEDA-10, and the Oro Best Expo Goes Halal in October in collaboration with DTI-10.
Lastly, Jardin also said the Oro Chamber's internal process development to streamline operations and enhance the chamber's capacity to fulfill its obligations to members and the wider community efficiently. In alignment with this, the Chamber launched during the assembly its website and human resources (HR) program. The website provides a dedicated portal for its members, and the HR program equips MSMEs with valuable insights and tools for effective HR management.
The Oro Chamber president further reaffirmed their commitment to drive economic progress and prosperity in the city. "Let us lead to make Cagayan de Oro a more prosperous city because, at the end of the day, our mandate is to make sure that we will be improving the quality of life of our people in the region," he added. (APB/PIA-10)
