Cebu PB members told to craft investment-driven legislations

Local

A MEMBER of the Cebu Provincial Board is pushing for investment-driven legislation to strengten the island's economy.

In her speech during the Oct. 12 regular session of the legilative body, Lakambini Reluya said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan should go beyond passing ordinances or resolutions and it must enact laws to attract more investors, generate jobs, improve infrascture and provide more opportunities for the Cebuanos.

Reluya, chairman of the body’s Committee on Commerce and Industry, said Cebu already has economic advantages and strengths that investors are looking for.

However, attracting investors is not enough. The challenge is to turn these advantages into a competitive and business-friendly environment, Reluya said.

"The SP's (Sangguniang Panlalawigan) greatest contribution is therefore not simply passing individual measures. It is creating a coherent poliy ecosystem in which investors can make long-term decisions with greater confidence" Reluya said.

Legislation should be used as a tool to support Cebu's long-term ecnomic growth, she emphasized.

Reluya provided seven legislative actions to support and promote economic growth. These include modernizing the investment and incentive framework of Cebu; establish a clear criteria for priority investment; strenghten the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and provincial asset governance; support digital regularoty processes; institutinalized investment policy, aligning policies with infrastracture needs; and improve consultations to businesses, academes, local government units, civil society and communities.

She pointed out that good laws make good investments that eventually transform to more jobs, opportunities, and improve the quality of life of Cebuanos.

Reluya also mentioned the letter from Vice Gov. Glenn Anthony Soco seeking support for the proposed Cebu North Economic Zone, andthe development of an economic master plan in northern Cebu which is seen to have an economic potential.(MyTVCebu)