Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano said her administration is meeting the challenges of the pandemic to make businesses thrive in the city.
Rubiano issued the statement during the 29th Metro Manila Business Conference hosted by Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry–National Capital Region (PCCI-NCR) chapter. She discussed the common concerns that affect both governance and business.
Recently, prominent officials of PCCI, Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Philippine Exporters Confederation (PhilExport), and Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOAI) formed the “Sulong Pasay” to work with the city government as well as other sectors in the society to come up with solutions that would stir economic growth with health protocols in mind.
“As mother and mayor of Pasay, I fully understand the issues being faced by the businesses in this pandemic, we share the same governance and economic concerns on employment, generating income, adjusting to new realities, safety and health of our personnel, and the long term effects of COVID -19 on the strength and viability of our institutions,” Rubiano said.
“These are real and urgent concerns that we need to face. You have a very timely theme, ‘Innovation for Sustainable Entrepreneurship.’ Innovation is truly the intervention that we need, both internally among ourselves and from the government,” she added.
The mayor also expressed support to online business, noting that the government must find ways to make the system work efficiently and effectively.
“As this might develop some more, the government must provide a smooth and easy regulatory atmosphere for innovation. There should always be partnership and coordination between the private and government sector,” Rubiano pointed out.
Likewise, the mayor also pushed for the “green” way of conducting business, stressing that it’s about time to take full care and give attention to the environment.
“Sustainable entrepreneurship also means taking care of the environment. People are more aware that we need to have a healthy planet. Businesses should be at the forefront of the environment for protection,” she stressed.
“Minimize waste, accelerate recycling, explore alternative sources of power that are more eco-friendly,” Rubino added.