TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte — The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PCCI) is bringing 31 companies that will offer franchising opportunities in Marawi, with some fees waived in support of the city’s rehabilitation.
Alegria S. Limjoco, PCCI president and former head of the Philippine Franchise Association, said the special terms for prospective franchisees from the city is also the business group’s expression of support for the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
“PCCI wants to support Marawi recover,” Ms. Limjoco said in an interview on the sidelines of the three-day Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon), which opened Sept. 13.
Marawi City is part of Lanao del Sur, which is under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that will be replaced by the new government set-up under BOL.
Ms. Limjoco said the PCCI plans to hold the franchising activity “as soon as possible” to help entrepreneurs who were affected by last year’s five-month siege between government forces and Islamic State-inspired extremists.
She said most of the companies offering franchises are in the food business.
PCCI is also finalizing a memorandum of agreement with fashion retailer Bench for a program involving the traditional weavers of the city.
On the BOL, Ms. Limjoco said the PCCI sees the new law as a significant step towards ensuring inclusive growth for Mindanao.
“Mindanao is on an emerging path, especially now that we have realized key and critical reforms that will support lasting peace,” she said in her speech during the MinBizCon opening ceremony.
“I am confident that Mindanao will continue to serve as a beacon of hope for economic transformation where job creation and poverty alleviation are the key outcomes,” she added. — Carmelito Q. Francisco
