Chinoy tycoons seek a PHL ‘more conducive to business’

Filipino-Chinese business leaders on Friday appealed to President Benigno Aquino III to make the country “more conducive to business" even as they expressed support for his national leadership. “Lead us the way, Mr. President. The Federation is behind you," Alfonso Uy, president of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) said in his welcome remarks during the group’s biennial convention in Pasay City. Aquino was the keynote speaker on Friday, the first day of the three-day convention. “We join your aspiration to take the straight and narrow path. We have confidence in your sincere and honest leadership," Uy added. Teresita Sy-Coson, president of SM Group of Companies, chairperson of Banco de Oro and daughter of mall magnate Henry Sy reiterated Uy’s support in her message, and asked Aquino to make “the environment more conducive to business." “We hope that your office will focus more [on] our country’s economy," Sy-Coson said, adding that the Filipino-Chinese group “would like you to lead us in making the Philippines a great economy." “Perhaps it is the destiny of the people in this room to be in business and destiny to work with you as economic progressive partner," she said, and offered the business group’s willingness “to be partner in nation building, creating business opportunities and. promoting social welfare projects." The FFCCCII, considered as the largest organization of Chinese-Filipino business groups with a membership of 170 from various chambers and trade and business associations, offers scholarship grants, funds construction of school buildings, forms volunteer fire brigades, and conducts relief operations and medical and dental health services. The federation also supports government programs, Uy said. “We firmly supported the government’s drive to improve tax collection by constantly reminding the Chinese community, particularly businesses, to pay the correct taxes," he said. In his keynote speech, the President assured the federation that “now you have an entire national government that you can count on for support," and hoped that “your partnership with well-meaning lawmakers can also be forged with national agencies of the government." Anticipating a new leadership that the FFCCCII will elect over the weekend, Aquino appealed to the members to vote for leaders “who are willing to work with us and are able to strengthen the federation’s partnership with government." “You are the pillars in your industries and I hope that the federation will also be a pillar in building a better nation," said the President.—JV, GMA News