Source: Sunstar-Bacolod
June 9, 2019
ERWIN P. NICAVERA

THE local business sector has lauded the direction set by the Municipal Government of E.B. Magalona in its bid to boost growth in the northern Negros Occidental locality.

The local government unit (LGU) recently called for a meeting with representatives of various business groups in the province to present its potentials for large scale investments. 

The meeting held at 21 Bar and Restaurant in Bacolod City on Wednesday, June 5 was also attended by incoming governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and congressman-elect of Third District Francisco Benetiz.

Frank Carbon, chief executive officer (CEO) of Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), said E.B. Magalona has recognized that the internal revenue allotment (IRA) plus the support of the provincial government and some government agencies is not enough to boost its growth to generate more employment and revenues.

Carbon said the local government also saw the need for private sector investments.

"The LGU has recognized its potentials including its mountains, particularly coffee production in Barangay Canlusong, aside from shorelines abundant in marine products mainly crabs," he said, adding that "these are another sources of revenues and jobs."

MBCCI has been pushing for the development of rural areas in the province through bringing in investments there.

It's good that E.B. Magalona is responding to it but they need the help of the province and other agencies, the business group said.

The CEO suggests that if the town wants to develop its agriculture and fishery sides, they have to catch it or else it will just erode to nearby localities like cities of Victorias, Silay and Bacolod.

Carbon said the town has to have its own residential and commercial developments so to catch the purchasing capacity of the locales.

"We like their plan, it's very nice. But all of these need the help of government officials including Benetiz, who can push for the national funding," he said, adding that other LGUs will see and follow what E.B. Magalona is doing.

It (E.B. Magalona) is in consonant with what MBCCI is advocating spreading developments in the rural side, the business leader also said.

Moreover, the business sector sees the need for the municipality to still "house keep" itself before the private sector could come in. 

Carbon said it need to update its comprehensive land use, promotion investment incentives and urban development plan.

"We have to see it also, we don't want a plan that is changing every year," Carbon said, adding that the private then will come in public-private partnership (PPP).

Having some canning factories, the business group said E.B. Magalona needs to upgrade its picking stations to reduce losses.

Private sector investors will also look for sustainability thus, there is a need for the local government to strictly implement closed season for harvest of marine products especially crabs, it added.