The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 2 conducted the 25th North Luzon Business Conference with the theme “Moving Forward through G.I.A.N.T S.T.E.P.S” on August 3-5, 2016 at the Crown Pavilion, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
The G.I.A.N.T S.T.E.P.S stands for the economic roadmaps that consist of the following enabling factors such as Good Governance, Greater spending for Infrastructure and Agriculture, New Era of Manufacturing and Tourism, which will be supported by enhancing the determinants, which are Science and Technology, Education, People’s skills, and Source of Financing.
Key officers and members of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in North Luzon attended the conference, which was spearheaded by PCCI North Luzon Area Vice President Engr. Alfonso T. Lao.
According to AVP Lao, the conference provided an avenue for the government and stakeholders in the business sector to discuss opportunities for investments in agro-industrial, tourism, education, business, services and other viable enterprises in North Luzon.
Relevant and critical information on appropriate business strategies, access to technology, common service facilities, financing, among others were discussed during the conference.
DTI 2 OIC Regional Director Mr. Ruben B. Diciano expressed his support to the PCCI. With him were DTI 2 Provincial Directors and some personnel.
Local Officials present in the event were Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba and Tuguegarao City Mayor Jefferson Soriano.
Meanwhile, former DTI 2 Regional Director Atty. Ma. Esperanza Bañares showed her support and participated in the event being the master of ceremony for the whole day activity.
Among the topics discussed in the plenary sessions include 1.) Achieving G.I.A.N.T S.T.E.P.S thru Transport Infrastructure Development 2.) Harnessing the Potentials of the Agriculture Industry in North Luzon 3.) Building Capacities for Disaster Resilient Business Community 4.) Trends in the Financial Sector: Opportunities for Local Enterprises 5.) Enterprise Development Initiatives for SMEs and Alternative Dispute Resolution for Business.
In his message, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan underscored the importance of giving support and top priority to our farmers and fisher folks being one of the big contributors in beefing the country’s economy.
Senator Kiko is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food and also an advocate of “pang- serbisyong tapat at totoo” especially for our farmers and fisherfolk
Media Conference was participated in by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and some local media. Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan straightforwardly addressed the concerns of the local media. With him were PCCI North Luzon Area Vice President Alfonso Lao, PCCI- Cagayan Chapter President Mr. Mario Dulin, and PCCI Regional Governors of Regions 1, 2, 3 and CAR.
A Fellowship Night was immediately conducted after the conference to liven up the whole day activity.
Alongside with the conduct of the conference, the North Luzon Trade Expo was organized on August 3-7, 2016 at the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral Patio Tuguegarao City, Cagayan to showcase the products of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in North Luzon.
The trade expo which was participated in by 32 exhibitors has generated a total sales of Php. 239,990.00