MNCCI launches BBM 2019
GO BBM 2019! Members of the local media with the officers of the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by President Ferdinand ‘Don’ Sia. LEANNE PHOTO
NAGA CITY --- This year’s Bicol Business Month, its 15th since it started as Bicol Business Week in 2004, is introducing a new format.
This was bared by Director Gloria Alicia (Gia) Veloso of the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI), BBM 2019 chair.
During the media lunch held yesterday morning at the Avenue Plaza Hotel Boardroom, Veloso said BBM 2019 will kick off with the Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness Support for Promotion and Investment in Regional Expositions (ASPIRE) on July 10-14 at the SM City Naga Activity Center.
ASPIRE aims at integrating marketing development support services to farmers, fisherfolk, micro-small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and other stakeholders in the local communities. With DA as main proponent, lectures, mentoring and ways on how to link farmers to consumers during the 5-day event day event that will be complemented with the traditional agri expo and exhibits of local products from the six provinces of the Bicol region.
This will be followed by the Persons With Disability (PWD) Job Fair, also at SM City Naga, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 15. This is now on its second year since this innovative program was launched within BBM last year.
A BBM Caravan, a moving showcase of the best of Bicol products, will take place from August to October 2019 around the region’s provinces and cities. This will be jointly chaired by Veloso and Director Larry Leeong.
MNCCI President Ferdinand Sia told the mediamen present at the launching that this year’s BBM will be featured with activities in the next few months, from August to October, until the culminating event, which is the BBM Exhibits and Trade Fair on November 12-17 at the Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum.
Market Place, Exhibits and Fora on Innovations for Resilient Communities will also be held at the same coliseum on October-22-27, BBM chair Veloso, a geomapping expert, disclosed.
Regional Governor for Bicol Clarine P. Tobias of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said the 1st Bicol Business Conference will be introduced within the BBM on October 24-25 that will be a convergence of all business leaders in Bicol, as well as potential investors and locators from Manila and other urban centers outside Bicol.
The prestigious Halyao Awards, the recognition night for Bicol’s outstanding businessmen now on its 15th year, will be held on October 25 at Villa Caceres Hotel. This is chaired by past MNCCI President Abet Velasco.
CRB Jaime Kalaw and Engr. Armando Aman will jointly chair the Real Estate and Construction Exhibit on November 5-10, also at the JMR Coliseum.
Meanwhile, Director Russel Pua Tan has been tasked to initiate the organization of Young Entreprenuers Society in Metro Naga and Bicol (Yes Bicol) that will eventually be integrated with the national organization of young entrepreneurs.
The BBM media launch was graced by Councilor Elmer Baldemoro and incoming Councilor Joe Perez, former MNCCI secretary-general and BBM 2016 chair.
Outgoing Mayor John Bongat and Incoming Mayor Nelson Legacion were invited as special guests but they were both on official travel outside Bicol to make it.
This year’s theme is “Bridging Boundaries in the Millennium (BBM) Towards the 4th Industrial Revolution.”