Saturday, September 29, 2007 12-point business agenda for Mindanao bared at Minbizcon
THE business sector in Mindanao has formulated a 12-point policy agenda that it wants the national government to act upon in the next few years to further propel economic growth in the island.
Estrellita Juliano-Tamano, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice president for Mindanao, disclosed the "Mindanao Business Policy Agenda" at the plenary of the recently concluded 16th Mindanao Business Conference.
"We conducted a Mindanao-wide consultation not just with business leaders but also with the governors in crafting our business policy agenda," she told around 500 domestic and foreign participants.
"This agenda was validated by 15 business chambers across Mindanao," she added.
Nobody from among the plenary voiced out opposition to the dozen agenda presented near the end of the island's biggest annual business gathering.
Tamano said the business policy agenda will be submitted to the national PCCI apparently for further inputs.
In turn, the national chamber will present the Mindanao Business Policy Agenda to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is set to bare her "Philippine Agenda" in October, Tamano said.
The 12-point agenda, still in bare form due to the absence of explanation for each item, of Mindanao's business sector are:
(1) Ensure effective and rapid implementation of peace and development programs in Mindanao and fast track the final resolution of peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF);
(2) Accelerate infrastructure development through increased budgetary allocations and efficient use of resources;
(3) Accelerate the establishment of a reliable and sufficient Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure for Mindanao;
(4) Ensure efficient ports and shipping services in Mindanao;
(5) Competitive and sustainable Philippine Tuna Industry;
(6) Reliable power supply all over Mindanao;
(7) Pursue a unified private sector-led development agenda for the Mindanao agriculture, fisheries and food industry;
(8) Forge a strong private-public sector partnership to develop a world-class Mindanao Tourism Industry;
(9) Support to the Mindanao Human Resources Development;
(10) Accelerate development of an environmentally and socially sustainable mining industry;
(11) Support the ratification of the Japan-Philippines Partnership Agreement (Jpepa) pending before the Philippine Senate; and
(12) Development of the Mindanao Cable TV Industry.
Pilar Afuang, executive director of the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry--which hosted the conference, said details of each item or resolution will be made available in the days to come.
Like in other business gatherings in the Southern Philippines, such as the 6th Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Business Congress early this month, concerns on the peace or security situation of the island emerged as a key issue.
Antonio Veneracion, president of this city's business chamber, lamented that Mindanao has lagging behind two other major islands-Luzon and Visayas-in terms of infrastructure development essential to entice entry of investments.
Importantly, lasting peace is needed in Mindanao to encourage more investments in the area, he asserted.
"Peace will give rise to [more] economic opportunities," Mr. Veneracion said. (BSS)
