The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is accelerating coordinated reconstruction initiatives across disaster-affected regions, emphasizing that physical recovery must align with governance reforms to stabilize investor confidence.
Ground Zero Assessment and Relief Operations
CCCI president Jay Yuvallos confirmed the chamber has been actively conducting site evaluations, distributing emergency assistance, and developing targeted interventions to help devastated communities and enterprises recover.
"Our role is really to look at how we can help so that people can get back on their rebuilding," Yuvallos stated during the November 21 announcement. The chamber has established a dedicated task force that continues monitoring the combined impact of both the recent earthquake and severe flooding.
Yuvallos detailed that CCCI teams immediately deployed to critically affected municipalities including Compostela and Consolacion following the disasters, assessing damage and coordinating with local responders.
Triple Threat to Cebu's Economic Stability
The recovery process faces complications from what Yuvallos described as a "one-two-three punch" to investor sentiment—the consecutive blows of seismic activity, destructive floods, and ongoing corruption controversies.
"The bigger issue is really corruption because the underlying issue there is governance," he emphasized. "If governance is shaken, investor confidence goes down. That is where the private sector comes in."
The chamber has formally submitted policy recommendations to the Regional Development Council's infrastructure committee, advocating for enhanced master planning, greater transparency in government procedures, and critical improvements to flood-control infrastructure.
Business Community Takes Stand Against Corruption
While maintaining its apolitical stance, CCCI asserts it must voice concerns when governance problems directly impact commercial operations and consumers.
"We continue to condemn corruption. Flooding is a business issue because it affects both enterprises and their customers," Yuvallos declared.
CCCI recently joined national business organizations in publicly denouncing corrupt practices as investigations involving certain local officials progress. The chamber positions itself as a crucial bridge between emergency response and long-term economic resilience, ensuring Cebu's rebuilding addresses both immediate needs and systemic vulnerabilities.
