Attended by noteworthy personalities and guests of Tagum City, impactful presentations and consultations were carried out during the 8th General Membership Meeting (GMM) of the Tagum City Chamber of Commerce at Miko’s Brew Tagum on September 30, 2022.
Mr. Benedicto Ongking, REE of NORDECO, and company, joined the event exhibiting the roles, scope, updates, transitions, and progresses of the electric cooperative and addressing the high-power rates for its consumers. They also called in for inputs and support from the Chamber and the LGU for its projects and capacities. Questions and answers with the attendees were also raised such as net metering, system losses, allegations, breach issues, Aboitiz takeover, and other concerns. Suggestions from invited guests were as well gathered such as clustering, industry and technology consultancies and raising awareness to avoid these problems especially with the controversial high utility costs in Tagum.
Discussing opportunities in Tourism from Ms. Alma Lim Uy of Tagum City Tourism, Arts and Culture Council, Inc. was showcased with their plans and consultations from the different sectors for Tagum City. They aim for the city to be known again as a tourism spot, a place of safety, cleanliness, and entertainment. They shared their aim to position Tagum in the tourism map of Davao Region and streamline the culture, arts, and tourism program offerings. The establishment of the Festival Tourism was also presented featuring the 11 different festivals which comprises multifarious and multi-disciplinary Culture and Arts Events, and Food and Crafts Fair, as well as Sports Competitions, among others, staged monthly in Tagum City, all year round. Formation of the Community Arts, and Nature and Heritage Tourism was also displayed that seeks public-private partnerships.
Completing the speakers was Mr. Dante Abad of Land Bank for its Lending Programs and Services to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and its salient features as Credit Facility. Several queries were posed and responded like the loans for solar businesses and its collaterals, granting of loans to LGUs and other businesses according to the project’s viability, and unpaid loans, maturities, restructuring and allowances in business loans.
Despite the heavy rains during the meeting, members and guests remained to its usual program directives including its oath to new members followed by its fellowship and social caucus.