CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — The Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc. (Oro Chamber) continues to foster local economic growth through partnerships with government agencies, businesses, and academic institutions.
The Optimizing Regional Opportunities for Business Excellence for Science, Technology, and Innovation (OROBEST Innovation) program demonstrates this approach by uniting government, industry, and academia to address regional challenges. The program has earned recognition, with Oro Chamber nominated for the Presidential Awards for Outstanding Development Partner.
“Our OROBEST Innovation program shows how cross-sector collaboration can lead to tangible results,” said Oro Chamber President Almarco C. Brito.
Another initiative is the OROBEST Creative and Mindspace Center. Supported by a P7.2 million grant from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), it offers a shared service facility for entrepreneurs.
“This center serves as a collaborative space for entrepreneurs, offering access to tools, resources, and networking opportunities that will foster creativity and innovation,” Brito explained.
The Chamber’s ongoing efforts to streamline business processes through its partnership with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) are also helping make it easier for entrepreneurs to operate. These efforts are aimed at removing bureaucratic barriers and improving the business environment.
Brito also highlighted the Cagayan de Oro Investors’ Network, which connects local investors with businesses seeking funding. Discussions with global venture capital firms, such as Plug and Play (Silicon Valley) and Blackbird VC (Australia), in partnership with the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-10, and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-10, are opening doors to investment opportunities.
Through the Go Digital MisOr program, in partnership with USAID and DTI, the Chamber helps micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) adopt digital tools to improve operations and maintain competitiveness. “They were introduced to tools like YelloX, Juan Tax, and Landbank to help our members streamline operations and improve financial management,” he added.
Brito further discussed the potential of the region’s local salt production following an exploratory meeting with Minergy to explore using desalination byproducts for salt production. “This collaboration will tap into local salt resources and support our agricultural and industrial sectors,” he said.
The Chamber is working with state universities like USTP, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), MSU Naawan, and Central Mindanao University to foster innovation and entrepreneurship for long-term regional growth. Efforts to establish a Halal ecosystem are also underway to position the region as a key player in the global Halal market.
Brito said the TAX 101 Compliance Program will be launched in May 2025 to provide businesses with essential tax knowledge and ensure compliance with regulations.
Oro Chamber is collaborating with the City and Provincial Tourism Councils to enhance Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) infrastructure, which will attract more events and visitors to the region, further boosting the local economy. (APB/PIA-10)
