As the Voice for Business in Northern Mindanao, the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc.(Oro Chamber) reported gains attained for the second quarter of 2022 during its 2nd Quarter General Membership meeting held July 8, 2022 at The Marquee Tent, Xavier Sports and Country Club, in Uptown Cagayan de Oro City.
Among the salient accomplishments reported by Oro Chamber President Raymundo Talimio, Jr. were preparations for two special projects and increasing engagements with the embassies and foreign donor countries aimed at the long-term sustainability of local businesses, specially Oro Chamber members.
Coming up this Friday, 15 July is the 2nd Northern Mindanao Business Conference to be held virtually in partnership with Valencia City Chamber and 7 European Chambers, and the much bigger Mindanao Food Congress + ORO BEST EXPO 2022 scheduled for October 26-30.
“The 2nd NMBC is spearheaded by Lorens Ziller of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines,” noted Pres. Talimio. “He is also responsible in enticing the other European Chambers of Commerce to participate and be involved in the 3C’s Museum Project.”
“In August, we will launch the 3C’s Museum, a Technology Business Incubation Project that will showcase the processing of Coffee, Cacao and Cashew (3C’s) in coordination with the Italian Chamber of Commerce and other European Chambers of Commerce, as well as with the DOST Regional Office No. 10 under the leadership of RD Alfonso Alamban. We will start meeting the 3C’s farmers and planters’ group and have an inventory of the farmlands available in Northern Mindanao,” he added.
The Indian Embassy in Manila has committed to be a Partner Country of the Mindanao Food Congress, which was firmed up during the Oro Chamber’s Courtesy visit to Indian Ambassador HE Shambhu Kumaran at Indian Embassy Manila last month. Earlier, the Oro Chamber hosted the India Business Roadshow in partnership with the Indian Embassy last May 18, 2022.
“Before the end of November, we will have a Trade Mission to India as an offshoot to the collaboration that we have started early this year,” Talimio noted.
The chamber also actively collaborated with other foreign chambers such as the Tasikmalay Chamber in Indonesia, Canadian Chamber, embassies of Indonesia and Japan, foreign agencies like the USAID-DAI, and the Japanese and Indonesian consulates in Davao City.
To promote and support its continuing advocacy for MSMEs, the Oro Chamber actively participated in the 3-Day MSME O.N.E. Expo 2022 held at Ayala Centrio Mall and a B2B Matching with the Phil. Franchise Association.
Government Engagements
In pursuit of its mandate as the de facto Voice of Business in Northern Mindanao, the Oro Chamber actively engaged local, regional and national government agencies in various concerns including Taxes and Governance Regulations, Law & Order & Public Safety, and Environment, Climate & Disaster.
Among these engagements were its active participation on the latest wage consultations and public hearing, during which it submitted its position paper; Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) on issues and concerns affecting the Poultry, Maritime & Shipping sectors, and its active participation in all local councils and committees, capped by two courtesy visits to Mayor Rolando A. Uy.
The chamber also attended the Mindanao Land Transportation Summit and Mindanao Solar Week
Awards & Recognition
In recognition of its active participation and invaluable inputs in regional and other consultative bodies, Pres. Talimio also shared the following accolades accorded to the Oro Chamber for the second quarter: Plaque of Special Recognition for Oro Chamber (PSR category) and Plaque of Commendation for the OROBEST Innovation Program from RRDIC Region10; Most Outstanding NGO from DOST Science for the People Award; Certificate of Recognition from NEDA RDC-10; and Plaque of Recognition and Honor from LGU-Cagayan de Oro.
Internal Matters
Not the least, Pres. Talimio was happy to report that for the period June 2021 to June 2022, the Oro Chambers Current Assets increased by 14.61% while its Net Worth likewise registered a 2.34% increase.
The major building maintenance and property valuation assessment has been approved, IT equipment for operations and projects upgraded, audio facilities for the board room upgraded, and a motor vehicle procured.
“For 2022, we projected an increase of 55 new members. As of June 30, we have admitted and approved more than 50% of the target,” Talimio said.
Not the least, negotiations are moving forward for the possible shared use of the 1,800 square meter space in the Oro Chamber building.
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