As the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry celebrates 50 years of existence a significant set of milestones will accompany our recollection of the half century of chamber work.
It is not enough that we acknowledge it as an award winning business chamber.It is also not enough that we recognize its contribution to the growth of the city.
After all, the chamber saw through the growth of a city once racked by strife and violence, its members banding together to help each other through the tumultuous and infamous 1970s, the hope of the 80s the early growth of the 1990s that saw Davao heralded as the country’s most livable city by Asiaweek in 1997.
As the new century entered, a new pride accompanied the city as it saw the growth of new malls, an international airport, world class hotels like the Marco Polo and other amenities that put it on the map as a preferred MICE destination.
The gross regional donestic product grew steadily, and would often beat the national average. Today’s 11% growth is a record, which is attributed by many to the strong bond between business and the city government.
It must be stressed that the work of a business chamber is not merely to lobby on behalf of its members or create business matching opportunities.
It is meant to represent the entire business sector, from micro enterprises in the public markets to large companies, with the aim of helping the city and national government foster the right atmosphere that can push business and economic growth by creating jobs and opportunity for a greater number of Davaoenos.
It is where the businessperson becomes a public servant, where the profit motive helps create public good.
What happened to the opposition?
As the post SoNA discussions revolve around the content, and not the manner of the Presidents 40 minute speech, and the eventful ascent of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the Speakership of fhe house, people realized how they forgot about the fact that thousands rallied outside the Batasan complex.
Judging by the discussion s itapears that the opposition was barely heard apart from the usual negative comments. It seems that the speech happened without much of them being mentioned, and the events taking place after left them excluded from whatever political realignments will take place.
