MACCII Struggle to Develop Angeles [ news writing class 때]

 

By: Jung Dea Woung

 

Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Inc.(MACCII) is one of the active economic organizations that develop the economy of Pampanga. MACCII aims to be a dynamic, proactive, professional, and financially sound organization serving as the unified, yet non-partisan voice of the business sector. MACCII fought a long time in developing Angeles. Behind their activities, is the president of MACCII, Myra V. Rivera, 41.

 

 She graduated at Holy family High School and U.P. Diliman in Manila. She is a Human Resources Department Manager of Angeles Electric Corporation and she was elected as the president of MACCII last year. 

 

Rivera said, “Angeles is very fortunate because we have a very strong business sector and even though before we didn’t really enjoy a harmonious relationship with the local government, we are able to push many projects through an initiatively private sector.”

 

 MACCII protested strongly to the government to rescission the Executive order 500-A.  MACCII is also pushing for EO 500- B and EO 500-A to be amended, and also Executive Order 500, which laid the groundwork for the expansion of air service in the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport by facilitating access of various airlines to the facility.

 

 Issued by Malacanang in August this year, EO 500-A provided that only official foreign carries are entitled to liberal policies at the DMIA in Angeles City. To solve this problem, president of MACCII, Rivera, signed a resolution dated March 15, 2007 with other organizations’ presidents.

 

Rivera mentioned that EO 500-A limits the operating capacity because it gives very little time to plan, so airlines don’t want to invest in a three month contract. However, EX 500-B provides a long term plan to the airlines. Companies can have enough time to do their work, and it can also benefit everyone.  

 

Rivera said, “A recent issue of MACCII was that the chamber had taken a strong position on the exit for Angeles city in Subic – Clark- Tarlac express way. There was no exit to Pampanga. That’s why we were fighting for one.” Finally, MACCII achieved their goal, and there is now one exit for Angeles.

 

 

 

Rivera returned from Europe on October 2, 2007, because of the project of MACCII. This January, MACCII launched a project called, “Green Philippines.” It is a partnership with the European Union, and is funded by the European Union. Four European organizations assist in training companies from Manila and MACCII; these six organizations work together to teach companies how to employ production measures, waste and environmental management.

 

Those six organizations are expecting that the Subic – Clark- Tarlac expressway to be completed soon, and that people and many industries will be located in Angeles. Fifteen companies already want to have training, and by next year another 15 companies will join. Moreover, by next year Clark Airport will be extended. According to the Clark International Airport Corporation, this will bring out a synergy effect with the Subic– Clark- Tarlac expressway to develop the economy of Angeles.

 

MACCII also serves for the youth of the Philippines. This is the Go Negosyo sa Pampanga. Go Negosyo sa Pampanga is presented by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship in partnership with more than 20 companies including MACCII.

 

 Rivera said, “We promote entrepreneurship to the students, for students that want to become entrepreneurs too; we invite some old and young entrepreneurs and they give them tips on what to do.” A lot of students have benefited from this program.

She added that if you want to become an entrepreneur, you should have a long term goal and combine hard work and creativity.

 

MACCII works hard and struggles for the economy of Angeles to improve.  They not only help the economy, but they help the people of Angeles in fighting for things that the people would be in favor of.