PASAY City and private sector partners launched on Friday the Sulong Pasay program, a public-private initiative, to help the local government weather pandemic-induced economic difficulties.
In her speech, Mayor Emi Calixto- Rubiano hailed the conveners of Sulong Pasay as she vowed to fully support their initiatives, especially on programs designed to help the local government in its economic recovery efforts.
Rubiano said it was worth noting that the city government did everything it can within its powers to keep businesses in the city open even at the height of the pandemic.
“Ginawa po natin ang lahat ng magagawa upang mapanatiling bukas ang mga negosyo sa lungsod at kasabay din po nito ay pinag-ibayo natin ang mga hakbang para mapababa ang mga kaso ng Covid-19 [We did everything we could to keep businesses open here in the city as well as strengthened our efforts to lower Covid-19 cases],” Rubiano said.
Sulong Pasay is composed of city-based industry leaders, among them Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Chairman Alegria Limjoco, PCCI President Emeritus and PhilExport Chairman George Barcelon, PCCI President Ambassador Benedicto V. Yujuico, PhilExport President Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr., former Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor, Philippine Stock Exchange Chairman Jose Pardo, PCCI Director Injap Sia and Hotel Owners Association of the Philippines President Arthur Lopez.
Rubiano also appealed to the business leaders to prioritize the hiring of local residents in their businesses, as one way of creating employment and livelihood opportunities for them.
In its manifesto, Sulong Pasay said “it is our mission to help attract more investors in Pasay to create more jobs and revenues during this health crisis.” It also vowed to make Pasay as the most modern urban enclave in the country.
“To achieve these, we will assist the local government in developing long-term economic plans as well as help organize various sectors within the city such as those in business, the academe, the church, the workers, the women, the youth and the urban poor,” Sulong Pasay added.
In his speech, Pardo said Sulong Pasay is the country’s first public-private partnership initiative that can be emulated all over the country.
For his part, Ortiz-Luis Jr. said that what prompted them to form the movement was their sheer desire to help the people, especially the poor severely affected by the pandemic.
Before organizing the group, their team interviewed people within the community who were directly affected by the pandemic. It was after the interviews that they decided to take matters into their own hands and lend their support to the local government.
Part of the assistance they could provide is helping develop long-term economic plans and inviting more investors to the city, Ortiz-Luis said.
Sulong Pasay’s policy declarations include pro-people and pro-God development thrust, development paradigm that is from Pasayeños, of Pasayeños, and for Pasayeños.
It will also insist on “Pasayeño First” policy in development efforts and will make collaborative approaches with government, various sectors and other stakeholders
Likewise, it also vowed to shun conflict-confrontational approaches and initiate development that respects the environment, culture and heritage.