Peace, manpower, gov’t attract investors in Iloilo City

By Raymart Escopel

ILOILO City – Peace, manpower and government are three of the main reasons why investors come in this city, said National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Region 6 Director Ro-Ann Bacal.

In an interview, Bacal said Iloilo City is generally peaceful, possesses skilled manpower with good educational background – being the center of education of Western Visayas, and even has a receptive local government unit (LGU).

With the mentioned factors, she noted that Western Visayas was able to maintain its position as the fourth largest regional economy outside Metro Manila.

“Although our growth rates have been fluctuating due to typhoons and other disasters, it will give you the idea that we have maintained and sustained the investment environment in Western Visayas, not just in Iloilo City,” Bacal said.

The Gross Regional Domestic Product of Western Visayas has slowed down from 7.7 percent in 2012 to 4.1 percent in 2013.

NEDA hopes that various government agencies, LGUs and the private sector will make their respective moves in reviving the region’s economy.

On their part, the government will be spearheading rehabilitation activities especially on the road and other infrastructure destroyed by super typhoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan).

She noted that the LGUs are also doing their part in helping residents recover quickly from the said disaster.

“All of these will hopefully fast track the bouncing back of those areas affected by typhoon “Yolanda,” Bacal said.

Though Iloilo City is considered the regional center of Western Visayas, Bacal said that NEDA is also pushing for developments particularly in cities like Roxas and Bacolod and other provinces like Aklan, among others./PN