Thursday, August 21, 2008 Effects of conflict to be felt later
THE business sector is not yet feeling the effects of the conflict between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and government troops, but fears the uncertainties that it has brought along to the economic climate of the island.
Nonetheless, Lao foresees that the on-going conflict will adversely affect the economic climate of Mindanao.
"But it will only be felt or manifest after a month," Lao said. "But we hope that it will not come."
Some towns raided by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have instantaneously turned into ghost towns with several houses burned, business establishments ransacked, and civilians killed and slayed.
"Peace and prosperity are a team, you cannot take one away from the other," Lao said. "They cannot be divorced."
The Mindanao Business Council president added that the business sector remains hopeful that the conflict between the MILF and the government troops will be resolved peacefully.
"There is a price to pay to achieve peace, and we have to be prepared to pay for that," Lao said.
The construction magnate added that the private sector must support the efforts and initiatives in the search for peace. (CPM)
