By Ruffy Magbanua
ABCI Executive Chairman Robertino E.Pizarro took the oath of office as the new president of Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (Oro Chamber) for 2017 in a simple yet meaningful ceremony last December 2, 2016 held at Ketkai Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City.
Dr. Walter W. Brown, ABCI Chairman Emeritus, graced the occasion as special guest of honor and speaker.
Pizarro won the votes of the chamber trustees during the election of officers on November 12, 2016, replacing outgoing president Jeffrey Ang.
During his acceptance speech, Pizzaro presented his platform and plans for the chamber which include the promotion of good business climate for Cagayan de Oro and Northern Mindanao, as well as strengthening government and business partnerships across the region.
He vowed to bring in more tourists in the city, increase the number of business meetings and conventions and promote a conducive business atmosphere.
Pizzaro said he would take advantage of the Duterte administration’s thrusts in terms of developing the countryside and ramping up economic activities in rural areas that would help spur development in the city. He also expressed support for the upcoming Mindanao Business Conference 2017 on September 9, 2017 where Cagayan de Oro will be the host city.
Pizzaro led a new set of board including Anna Marie Medes of the Southland Events, Inc., who was voted Vice President for the Services Sector, and Irene Floro of the Skills Mastery Institute, who was voted Vice President for Business Support Organization.
Arthur Quiblat of Del Monte Philippines was voted Vice President for the Agri-Business Sector, Efren Cababat of the Pilipinas Kao Inc. became Vice President for Manufacturing and Industry and Jan Michael Uy of the YSU Marketing Corporation was voted Vice President for Trade and Commerce. Jessie Co of the New CCH Hardware was elected Treasurer while Cosme Pacana of the M&A Resource Training and Publishing Inc. was voted as the new Corporate Secretary.
A Brown is a publicly listed company with a strategic interests in real estate, power, water, among others. Its sister company A Brown Energy and Resources Development, Inc. (ABERDI) specializes in agribusiness, particularly palm oil plantations and milling, and has been an active member of the Oro Chamber for more than a decade.
The chamber was organized on December 1982 by a convener group of only 25 firms and elected as charter president Virgilio Neri.
At present, Oro Chamber has about 400 members.
