16/02/2026
Ozamiz LCE Engages Fil-Chi Business Leaders in Manila to Boost Asenso Economic Drive
via Bhal Abad Cabrera | February 15, 2026
MANILA, Philippines — Advancing what he describes as the Asenso Brand of Service in economic governance, Mayor Sam Norman G. Fuentes met with key figures of the Filipino-Chinese business community in Manila in a strategic bid to expand the city’s investment pipeline and strengthen public–private collaboration.
The dialogue, held during a gathering at Manila Hotel on February 7, 2026, brought together business leaders including Mr. Sui Lam Chan, Chairman and Owner of KCC Property Holdings, INC./ KCC Group of Companies, and Mr. Mariano Ong and Mr. Tan Ching, both former presidents of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII).
Joining the mayor in the high-level engagement were the First Lady of Ozamiz City, RD Ruth L. Fuentes, who currently serves as the Regional Director of the Department of Education – Region IX, reinforcing the city’s commitment to education-driven development alongside economic expansion.
Beyond a routine engagement, the meeting focused on aligning local development priorities with private sector expansion strategies — a core element of the Asenso governance approach, which emphasizes proactive leadership, investor confidence, and sustainable economic growth.
The mayor outlined the city’s economic direction, highlighting streamlined business processes, infrastructure readiness, and policy stability designed to attract long-term investments. He emphasized that under the Asenso framework, governance is not reactive but anticipatory — positioning the city ahead of regional competition for capital and enterprise expansion.
Business leaders shared perspectives on industry trends, retail expansion patterns, and the broader investment climate — insights that help shape local policy adjustments and future planning.
The Manila engagement signals a deliberate governance posture: economic progress requires active outreach, sustained dialogue, and strategic alignment between local government and the private sector.
While no formal commitments were announced, both sides recognized the importance of maintaining structured conversations to translate discussions into tangible projects.
In a competitive economic environment where cities vie for investors and commercial expansion, the mayor’s outreach underscores a political and governance message consistent with the Asenso Brand of Service — leadership that seeks growth not through rhetoric, but through partnerships, preparation, and performance.
