NegOcc pitches investment potentials at PH biz confab

MANILA. Provincial Planning and Development Officer Ma. Lina Sanogal (center) along with other presenters during the break-out session on Business and Investment Opportunities in Philippine Tourism of the 44th Philippine Business Conference in Manila on Friday, October 19. (Erwin Nicavera)
MANILA. Provincial Planning and Development Officer Ma. Lina Sanogal (center) along with other presenters during the break-out session on Business and Investment Opportunities in Philippine Tourism of the 44th Philippine Business Conference in Manila on Friday, October 19. (Erwin Nicavera)

THE Provincial Government of Negros Occidental has expressed optimism that it can attract more tourists and investors after it has pitched its tourism and investment potentials during the 44th Philippine Business Conference in Manila on Friday, October 19.

Provincial Planning and Development officer Ma. Lina Sanogal, in the break-out session on Business and Investment Opportunities in Philippine Tourism, presented major offerings of the province positioned to spur interest among participants, mostly firms, to invest in Negros Occidental.

Sanogal underscored that the province is “prepared” particularly in terms of having vast lands ready for development; strong bureaucracy and good governance; abundant natural resources; and quality workforce or human resources.

“The province has developed within its pace. We are developing sustainably, slowly but surely,” she said.

Other presenters during the session included Samar, Legazpi City in Albay, Davao and New Clark City in Tarlac. They were joined by representatives of San Miguel Holdings Corp. which earlier proposed for the development of Bulacan International Airport.

During the forum, participants asked presenters from the public sector for an “extra factor” that they can offer to businesses who may plan to invest in their respective regions, provinces, and cities.

For Negros Occidental, Sanogal underscored that aside from vast areas ready for development, the province also hosts properties for public-private partnerships.

Sanogal said the Provincial Government has also instituted sustainable tourism code as well as local investments and incentives code plus a good governance model for its local government units (LGUs) vital in ensuring transparency and accountability.

“I guess these are what it takes to be able to lure and convince investors to come. In fact, they are coming already,” she said, adding that “Negros Occidental also has an edge as it is not within the path of the strong typhoon.”

In terms of niche, the province is seen to have an advantage as it promotes the development of a green Negros Island with a strong market of five million people.

Green means sustainable, Sanogal said, adding that the province has rich biodiversity, natural parks, and marine sanctuaries. It is also considered as the country’s capital for organic agriculture and renewable energy.

“We really have a sure market given that people nowadays are looking for environment-friendly places and activities,” she said, adding that in terms of skills required by the industry, the province has been training its workforce and talents.

In terms of tourism, Negros Occidental was named second most visited place in the country by domestic tourists in the 2016 Household Survey on Domestic Visitors of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The Provincial Government continues to work on increasing the tourist arrival figures by 10 percent every year. For it to be realized, it recognizes the need to develop airports outside Metro Manila.

Sanogal said that it seems that the development is concentrated in Luzon and Mindanao, always leaving Visayas behind. Investments are supposed to spread in the countryside not only among urban centers.

“But we are doing our share. It is not about personality, regardless we have no president or senators, we continue to do it on our own with the help of investors on the side,” Sanogal said.

She added that attracting more investors complements the province goal of creating more employment opportunities for Negrenses.

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