Three industries booming despite Martial Law

CONSTRUCTION, agriculture, and the realestate are the business industries with current booming status in Mindanao despite being under Martial Law for a year now.

In an interview with Mindanao Business Council (MinBC) president Vicente Lao, Martial Law has not significantly affected the business climate of Mindanao.

Following the Marawi Siege last year, President Rodrigo Duterte declared Mindanao under Martial Law for a period not exceeding sixty days. This declaration, however, was extended late last year and has not been lifted since.

“As what we can observe, the business sector in Mindanao is not affected by Martial Law even after a year of declaration. In Mindanao, it is business as usual, different from the fear of those from Luzon,” said Lao.

He added that they notice a lot of investments coming in the sectors of construction, agriculture, and real estate.

“We can say that these attractions towards investors are happening because Mindanao economy is currently booming as well,” said Lao.

In a report by the De- partment of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Davao Region, construction-related jobs are among the current indemand jobs in the region primarily because of the “Build, Build, Build” program of the administration.

“It is interesting to note that for this year, construction-related works take the lead in our in-demand jobs. Last year it was call center jobs. Although customer service jobs are still in the top 10, it doesn’t anymore the most in-demand in Davao Region. Construction jobs already are,”

said Dole Davao focal person Marlito D. Ayala in an earlier interview.

Lao added that the general business climate in Mindanao continues to flourish and has not experienced decline significant decline related to the effects of Martial Law. Mindanao remains to be under Martial Law, however, other sectors such as the tourism sector of Davao City claims that Martial Law’s negative effect was also only good for two months. Outpour of tourists had started once again by the 3rd month after the declaration. JPA