| Visayas
Area Business Conference |
| I. Introduction: The Conference lasted for three days, from May 19 to 20, at the SMED Center , Tacloban City and on May 21 at Calicoan Island , Guiuan, Eastern Samar . The affair was attended by businessmen of Regions 6, 7 & 8 and officers of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and several members of the RDC VIII such as DOST, DTI, DOT, DOLE and NEDA. The Conference was hosted by the Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The RDC VIII was also one of the sponsors of the Conference. The Conference focused on three themes: Processed foods and packaging, eco-tourism, and Information and Communications Technology. The Conference topics and messages delivered were very much aligned with the priorities of the Regional Development Plan 2004-2010. II. Conference Topics and Messages May 19: Technology Investment Forum May 20: Formal Opening of the Business Conference. Talks centered on Processed foods and packaging and ICT May 21: Keynote speech by President Arroyo. Presentation on Calicoan business opportunities May 19: Message by the Tacloban City Administrator, Mr. Jimmy Yao Ka Sin • Government can be an instrument of good. Must be run as efficiently as possible. • Partnership with the private sector need, e.g. in one-town-product program. Chamber needed to market the products • Chamber has also role in the decentralization of business. For instance, source components of their products from Eastern Visayas , or manufacture said components here. • Locate conventions outside Metro Manila. Let PCCI be the first organization to use the Tacloban Astrodome for its conference next year • Urged the PCCI to invest here. Invest in Tacloban • There is a need for a law for excise taxes to be paid directly to LGUs so people benefit directly. • For mining and tourism to co-exist: It can be done. Message by Congresswoman Petilla • Currently concentrating on farming and fishing sectors as poverty lies predominantly in these sectors • Co-author of a tourism bill for the creation of tourism offices in all municipalities • into advocacy to reduce red tape… to make business easier in our localities • Message by Leyte governor Petilla • Problems in the different provinces is regional in nature • Leyte is not only focused on agri • Government enters in areas where the private sector does not want to come in because it is too risky • Sustainable growth can only be done by the private sector because LCEs are temporary • Region 8 has too many to offer Message by PCCI President Dee
Talk on Investment Priority areas – by Gov. Petilla Tourism • Also a
regional concern. • Lack of facilities is a major problem
Medium and heavy industries Coco-based processing – in infant stage Redevelopment of DZR airport Dev't of Babatngon Seaport ICT • Enrollees and graduates of Region VIII and Leyte • 48 colleges and universities, 10 are in Tacloban City • Speech lab at LNU will focus on conversation English • Telecom facilities – E1 is cheaper here and we have so many excess DSL • PEZA registered IT Park Interested participants were given a tour to the Mariculture Zone at San Juanico. 31 st Philippine Business Conference
Talk by Mr. Sy on the Regional Inputs to the PBC • In AVR format – 10 minutes • What are the best investments here? • Why do business here • What are the problems? What can they do? • There must be figures – margins, size of business, return on investment, problems • What businesses performed well –showcase • Regions must help market the Conference. Invite educational institutions especially for teaching English Opportunities in the Call Center Industry by Teletech
Prospects for Food Processing & Packaging
PCCI is the voice of business. Must propel growth. Growth must be with sociall equity. There must be interventions in government and private sector so they can be competitive. The Leyte first district focuses on farmers/fishers. There must also be interventions for the business sector. PCCI is networking with DOST, DTI, NEDA, local chambers and LGUs for the establishment of satellite packaging service and testing centers and toll packing facilities. PROPEL DEVELOPMENT • a project of PCCI and Kiko Pangilinan • Leyte particularly Tacloban is one of the pilot areas • Templates for enterprise and livelihood development • Province-based plans are aligned with 10-pt agenda • Localized implementation of national SME Alternative Dispute Resolution – “Philippine Dispute Resolution Center ”
Reforms in the Service Sector (Dr. Ong)
Day 2: Message of President Arroyo
About Calicoan
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