Mayor Mike Rama asked the support of franchisers and the rest of the business community in his journey towards a Singapore-like Cebu City.
Speaking at the opening of the Franchise Negosyo Para sa Cebu Expo, the mayor also assured his support to businesses and in reviving the country’s economy.
Mayor Rama then asked attendees, who included officials from the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA); business owners; and spectators, to pledge their oath towards this vision.
“The time has come for us to be one. Singapore-like Cebu City. Are you with me on this? Are you?” he asked, before having them stand up, raise their right hands, and take their oath before him.
The expo, which will run from today until Saturday, is organized by the PFA. It features several business franchises from food and beverage, retail, and services.
Mayor Rama, who also led the event’s ribbon cutting ceremony, said he is happy to see such a big event in the city.
He recalled that it was during the city’s Charter Day last February 24 when he declared freedom with shared responsibility for the city of Cebu. This signaled the reopening of the economy, with continued observance of minimum health standards.
“I am happy to be here. This is my first ribbon cutting after the SONA and after my election as president of the LCP. I wish for more expos, more jobs, more employment opportunities,” he said.
PFA president Chris Lim said their event signals the restart of the economy and their optimism for the coming months.
“We have always seen Cebu as a city of great growth opportunities. That’s why we regularly hold events here,” he said.
The Franchise Negosyo Para sa Cebu is PFA’s first face-to-face event in the whole country, since the pandemic.
Over 80 brands are present in the expo.
Lim, said they hope to encourage more brands to expand in Cebu and make it their base for Visayas and Mindanao. (Cebu City News & Information)
