Business group leads campaign to prop up Iloilo’s image
THE ILOILO Economic and Development Foundation, Inc. (ILED) is leading a campaign to prop up the image of the province and the city amid reports of prevalent illegal drug trading and to reaffirm the image of Iloilo following the tagging of the province and the city in the illegal drug trade. At the launch of the public relations campaign dubbed “Proud to be Ilonggo,” ILED Chairman Narzalina Z. Lim said they aim to counteract the bad publicity. “Let’s just go ahead and show the world that it’s business as usual in Iloilo. You know we are so busy with so many events. And we still have to continue bringing the investments in,” she said before an audience of members of the business community, professionals, civil society, youth, academe, women, religious groups, and the media. The launching of the campaign will be followed by the creation of a Facebook account where they will post statistics on the peace and order situation in Iloilo as reported by Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne R. Binag, the regional police chief. Ms. Lim also said that despite the series of tirades of President Rodrigo R. Duterte linking some Iloilo officials to the illegal drug trade, the business climate remains vibrant. “Recent events have put in Iloilo in the spotlight that unfortunately threatened to derail the progress that has been made. As peace-loving as we Ilonggos are, we must ensure that we do what we can to stay on track.” —