CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Mindanao’s business sector plays an important role in helping rebuild the war-torn Marawi City.
This, according to Communications Undersecretary Joel Egco, who urged the island’s business leaders to partner with the government in terms of putting up investments and in “influencing rehabilitation initiatives.”
Egco was guest speaker at the 6th Mindanao Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs Awards Friday (Oct. 20), which gathered influential business figures in Mindanao, such as the Lim Lo Suy family, which owns a range of Toyota dealerships from Butuan to Zamboanga, and scions of shopping mall magnate Stephen Gaisano. Both families received accolades during the event.
Also present were bank executives led by Philippine Veterans Bank vice president Miguel Angelo Villareal and Elmer Monsale, local division chief of Eastwest Bank. Both financial institutions are sponsors of the awards.
Started in 2012, the awards honors various Mindanao business leaders and entrepreneurs for their effort in propelling Mindanao towards economic growth and sustainable development.
Eight companies were recipients of the 6th Mindanao Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs Awards. They were Malunggay Pastel Bread (micro-entrepeneurs), Brigada Group of Companies (social entrepreneurs), Philippine Ostrich and Crocodile Farms (agriculture industry leaders), Hemeni Land Corporation (real estate and housing development leaders), Limketkai Luxe Hotel (hotel industry leaders), Lola Abon’s Durian Candy Factory (food manufacturing entrepreneurs), Sophie Red Hotel and Onshore Restaurant (restaurant/resort leaders) and the Lim Lo Suy family (mega entrepeneurs).
Special awards were also given to Medina, Misamis Oriental (outstanding LGU in tourism promotion), Island Garden City of Samal (outstanding LGU in tourism development) and Cagayan de Oro City’s own Gil Macaibay III (outstanding leader in fashion industry). (PNA/Mark D. Francisco)
