Talisay chamber head lauds ‘Talisaynon 1st’ policy

THE head of the Talisay City Chamber of Commerce, Trade and Industry welcomed the recently approved ordinance that called on all establishments in the city to prioritize the hiring of locals.“It’s a big advantage for businesses in the city because that means their employees won’t be late. Also, employees don’t have to travel very far so they end up saving on fare or fuel,” Cyril Velasco said in Cebuano.Majority of employees of big companies in the city are not locals, especially those companies that require skilled workers, he said.To address this situation, he said the Chamber of Commerce is cooperating with youth groups to provide their members with vocational training and skill development.Velasco also appealed to chamber members and other businessmen in the city to comply with the new law.”Let’s give back to the community and let’s give back to the city,” he said.Meanwhile, Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas supported the council’s approval of the ordinance.He said that maybe now is the right time for the City Government to coordinate with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to offer various skills training to residents so they can easily get work in the city.City Councilor Eduardo “Digul” Gullas, the ordinance’s author, said he came up with the measure to provide livelihoods to Talisay City residents.“At least a percentage of the workforce will be Talisaynon. Also, this will help boost the local economy,” he said in a mix of Cebuano and English.