Business in Olongapo City perking up
Balita News
up since late last year, with the opening of four big-time
multi-national business firms and small-scale business enterprises,
providing more employment opportunities to residents.
Nestor Ching, President of the Olongapo City Chamber of Commerce
and Industry, Inc., identified the businesses as ACA Video Shop,
which opened last year, and Video City, Maxs Fried Chicken, and
Jollibee Fastfood Store which have all opened this year.
Three of the shops are located in the central business of
Magsaysay Ave. which used to be the entertainment center of the city
during the occupation of the United States naval base inside Subic
Bay.
Ching said that Olongapo, having recovered since the pull-out of
the American bases, now have more workers and residents compared to
six years ago.
"Nag-settle down na tayo, unlike in the first stage, entertainment
industry talagang 99 percent nagsara mga clubs. Kaya nakikita mo
diyan there are only a few bars na bukas," he said.
Other businesses have maintained their status and hardware shops
have even thrived since the start of construction boom in factories
inside nearby Subic Bay Freeport, Ching added.
He said, of the small-scale business, more pawnshops have opened
to cater to the needs of residents whose relatives and loved ones are
abroad and who need to pawn their jewelry whenever remittances are
delayed.
At the same time, Ching urged local government officials to
project Olongapo as a "business-friendly and sincere" city to be able
to lure entrepreneurs and businessmen from outside Olongapo.
"Supposedly wala tayong monopoly, no personal interests, anybody
willing to put up a business should be welcome, no harassment, easy
to access and apply for business permits," said the Chamber president
who himself owns a beach hotel and restaurant.
He said Chamber members just want the city to create an atmosphere
conducive to business so as to increase the number of enterprises
here and provide more employment to the city.
"Businessmen are just like that, hindi naman sila magrereklamo,
they'll just pack up their things, get their money, transfer to other
places where they are welcome to put up their business there," he
said.
He likewise encouraged the support of local government officials
"in terms of laws and policies that will encourage businessmen to put
in more money, which they have." (PNA) je/wpt/CALS/CALS
PNA 07091320