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[av_heading heading=’WV attracts investors despite Iloilo’s ‘shabulized’ tag – DTI ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO City – Western Visayas remains attractive to investors despite the “most shabulized” tag of Iloilo City, the region’s center of commerce, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
“We are moving on (from the tag),” said DTI regional Director Rebecca Rascon.
She cited the efforts primarily of the private sector.
“It is not only DTI doing the work. Many sectors are involved. We have an active Iloilo Economic Development Foundation (ILED) and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. They promote the region. Even our local chief executives are also active,” said Rascon.
Despite the negative publicity, “I think daw wala gid ka-affect masyado,” she added.
Rascon stressed the importance of “packaging” well to investors the region’s provinces, highlighting their respective potentials.
President Rodrigo Duterte branded Iloilo the “most shabulized” in the country and a “bedrock of illegal drugs.”
ILED launched the “Proud to be Ilonggo” campaign to counter the tags sullying Iloilo’s image.
“Proud to be Ilonggo” focuses on two important pillars: economic development and tourism. An investment forum would be organized in Manila tentatively scheduled in March 2018. For the tourism pillar, ILED vowed to focus on increasing the number of tourists visiting Iloilo.
On the other hand, said Rascon, DTI worked on three priority programs this year.
One was the “Kapatid Mentor Me” program that helped medium, small and micro entrepreneurs (MSMEs) hone their skills.
“May mentors or coaches gatudlo sa ila on the different aspects of business like marketing, product development, financial management or accounting, and the legal aspects of business,” said Rascon.
Over 140 individuals in six provinces (Iloilo, Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental) completed this program.
“The training increased the confidence of MSMEs nga they are ready to prepare business plans and business proposals (for financing) nga acceptable sa banks,” said Rascon.
The other DTI-6 priority was the establishment of Negosyo Centers. It had so far erected 65.
Negosyo Centers promote ease of doing business (business registration, advisory, etc.) and facilitating access to services for MSMEs.
They are “one-stop shops for entrepreneurs,” said Rascon.
The third priority was the “shared service facility” or provision of equipment in areas where there are no business facilities and the operators can either be local governments, state universities or nongovernment organizations./PN
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