Bongat lauds MNCCI for job well done

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay NAGA CITY --- City Mayor John Bongat took his hats off to the officers and members of the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) for their commendable contribution in propelling the city’s economy and bringing significant changes in the city’s business landscape. “The business sector has been an integral part of my governance as mayor of the city of Naga. Since day one when I first assumed office in 2010 up to this day, the business sector has always occupied one of the highest tasks of priorities in so far as governance – seeing governance in a manner the city decides for its present -- is concerned. The business sector has always been there, particularly the MNCCI.” Bongat delivered these words before businessmen, leaders of organizations, members of the press, and other stakeholders during the MNCCI’s 2nd Quarter General Membership Meeting, Business Forum and Induction of New Members Thursday, June 7, at La Piazza Hall, Avenue Plaza Hotel, here. He continued by saying that one of the priorities of his administration was and has been to put emphasis on the role that the business sector plays in the development of the city. “And when we talk about business sector, we talk about the main driver of economic development for the city and the role the city of Naga plays, vis-à-vis the province in the entire Bicol region,” he added. Aside from the great cultural heritage that the city has to offer, it also takes pride in being the preferred location of national food chains and home for growing BPOs, Bongat said. “We have also seen the growth of other industries that the city has put premium on, like the BPO, from 1,000 to 5,000 employees dependent on the BPO industries, from Sutherland in Pili, to IBM, Stellar, Concentrix, and Quantrix [here in Naga]. These are not just branches. These are major branches in the BPO industries that have chosen to locate themselves in Naga despite limitations.” Naga City has been adjudged as the most competitive component city in the Philippines for the past 4 consecutive years and got its 5th this year, a testimony how it continues to inch forward in terms of improving a competitive landscape for the business sector and industry players. MNCCI, headed by Ferdinand Sia as its president, vows to sustain the business momentum and engage more stakeholders in maintaining its stature. The chamber has been installed by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry as a Hall of Famer after having won the outstanding local business chamber award in three consecutive years.