NAGA CITY, Camarines Sur (PIA)— “Expect a more creative, innovative, and bigger convergence of businesses this year, as we showcase and promote Bicol’s best in the upcoming 18th Bicol Business Month (BBM) celebration comes October,” Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI), Inc. President Dr. Mario Villanueva said during BBM’s press launch, Sept.26, Monday at the Avenue Plaza Hotel, here. 

Villanueva said that BBM endeavors to highlight investment opportunities in the forthcoming BBM this October, especially after the 2-year COVID-19 pandemic severely affected the local economy and caused other businesses to shut down.

“We are coming up with innovations this year’s BBM celebration as we bring in new business key players –the young entrepreneurs through our Start-Up programs. We will a also be promoting digital technology.

 We should re-impose Naga’s position as one of the country’s best business hubs,” the MNCCI president added. 

Mayor Nelson Legacion said that MNCCI’s formidable presence also gives the city fiscal stability and upward mobility. 

“As early as March we already allowed pre-pandemic activities. Now  is the the time to give ourselves a chance to move on. The city has to take the risk, and I am happy that the business sector, the MNCCI also took the risk of opening up their businesses, innovating in a COVID-threatened environment and winning it in the end,” Legacion stated.

Legacion expressed his gratitude for the strong backing given by the church and the business sector in the recently concluded Peñafrancia festivity, which he said played a significant role in enjoining more businesses to resume operation and even encouraged others to open new ventures.  

“In this regard, we have to sustain the momentum, the reason why the holding of BBM is important.”

Legacion also pledged to give P1M for BBM as the city’s assistance to the activity.

BBM 2022 Chairman EJ Guazon said that the LGU plays an important part why the Bicol Business Month event continues to flourish. 

Villanueva said that this year, MNCCI, Inc. has prepared activities that would entice partakers, like the Bicol Digital Congress 2022. 

“The Bicol Digital Congress 2022 is a regional event that will showcase and push forward the opportunities and future start-ups, technology, and innovation in the Bicol Region and the Philippines,” Digital Event Chair Jude Salvador Buelva said. (PIA5/Camarines Sur)