CCCI app aims inclusivity

• Source: https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-business/2019/03/08/1899672/ccci-app-aims-inclusivity
• Sunday, March 10, 2019

By Ehda M. Dagooc (/JMD, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is set to launch an app that will enable its members to do businesses pushing the development of inclusive growth.

Newly-installed chamber president Virgilio “Nonoy” G. Espeleta told reporters that an app will be introduced by June this year to be used by chamber members to do business within, instead of importing or sourcing supplies or services from outside.

This is one of the flagship programs that will be pushed by Espeleta in his leadership, apart from other initiatives he will be proposing to the CCCI board in during his entire term.

The app will serve as a digital marketplace for the growing 800 members so that, sourcing, as well as digital payment, will be done online.

“We will encourage members to buy from each other,” said Espeleta, who owns Famcor Franchise Management and Executive Development Corporation.

According to Espeleta, this is also part of pushing local companies to support a “self-sufficient” Philippine economy minimizing the dependence to imports.

The app will also provide a digital wallet for each member company so that payment will be done digitally.

Aside launching the app, Espeleta also mentioned his plan to propose other programs such as strengthening the business mentorship program in the chamber in coordination the government, teaching local innovators to monetize innovations, among others.

In one his visits to Cebu recently, Jesus Pilapil Estanislao, the country’s renowned economist and governance thought leader, urged the business sector here to adopt a mindset of self-sufficiency.

“The Philippines should be self-sufficient. The world is not going to grow. The opportunities (outside) is limited,” Estanislao told Cebu business sector.

Espeleta, the 37th CCCI president, said he is committed to start implementing this “self-sufficiency” challenge, starting with the member-companies.