THE private sector under Project Balik Buhay (PBB) supports the move to gradually reopen Cebu’s economy.
The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Cebu Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce; Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu, Inc.; Cebu Bankers Club; Philippine Retailers Association; Aboitiz; SM City Cebu; Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Association; Mactan Export Processing Zone Chamber of Exporters and Manufacturers; SunStar; Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation, Inc.; Cebu Design Week; and Philexport Cebu in a joint statement agreed that Cebu has “to move on and to move forward.”
“We stand behind all efforts to revive and restore the lives and livelihoods of our fellow Cebuanos, and we look forward to a safe and thriving Cebu under this new normal,” the PBB said in a statement.
The PBB stated that Cebu’s economy can be reopened while ensuring that required health protocols are still being observed.
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The PBB recognized the impact brought about by the coronavirus pandemic on the lives and livelihood of the many Cebuanos.
“We offer our sincere sympathies to the families who have lost loved ones, and we acknowledge the plight of many Cebuano workers who have lost their jobs and continue to suffer economically, yet have remained steadfast in their resolve to provide for their families despite the difficulties,” the PBB said.
The PBB is aware that more work needs to be done and there is a need to continue to be vigilant so all the efforts that were put in place will not be in vain.
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The PBB also assured the government, both national and local, as well as the health care and religious sectors that it will continue to support the programs and protocols that have been implemented for the past 15 months to mitigate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. (JJL with PR)