LGU-led tourism initiatives to generate billion in 2016

More than 8 billion worth of Local Government Unit (LGU)-led tourismrelated investments are expected to flow into 100 municipalities and 17 cities in 17 provinces in 2016, the highest in ten years.

This was shared at the recently concluded “Fiesta Forward Tourism Investment Forum and Business-Matching for Economic Growth” event hosted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Government of Canada.

Speaking to forum participants, DILG OIC-Assistant Secretary for Plans and Programs Josefina CastillaGo stated how the Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED) enabled local government units to spur economic growth through tourism.

“In 2008, LGSP-LED LGUs have generated about 8 billion in investment and an estimated 5,000 jobs in the tourism sector alone,” said Asec. Go. “It would not have been achieved without the serious efforts of our partner LGUs to put the house in order for businesses and employment to thrive.”

During the forum, local chief executives from 14 partner cities and provinces, including Governors Jose Alvarez of Palawan, Joey Salceda of Albay, Rhodora Cadiao of Antique, Samuel Gumarin of Guimaras, and Mayor Mei Ling Quezon of Siquijor, Siquijor presented current business opportunities in their areas.

Local Economic and Investment Promotion Officers (LEIPOs) from Iloilo, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Iloilo City, Zamboanga Del Norte, Davao Del Norte, Sorsogon, and Alaminos City also shared the advantages of doing business in their respective areas.

LGUs presented business opportunities in property and real estate, retail, transport construction, medical care, entertainment services, energy and mining, tourism accommodation facilities, restaurants, tour operations, and other supply services.

Through LGSP-LED, these select LGUs have been able to champion inclusive growth by policy reforms, investment promotion, micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) support, and public-private partnerships for industry development.

According to the Department of Tourism (DOT), tourism-generated investments in the first half of 2015 have already reached 111.05 billion. To create more investments through the industry, the DILG assisted 134 LGUs through the LGSP-LED, which is a joint project of DILG and the Canadian Government.

According to Go, DILG is collaborating with other agencies like the DOT, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to provide the right atmosphere and business climate to encourage investors and MSME participation, adding that these agencies agreed to encourage LGUs to push for more MSME development in the opening of new markets for various products from the different areas.

Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino, one of the event’s keynote speakers, also stressed that the best way to unlock inclusive growth in the Philippines is to push for MSME growth. “DILG, in partnership with DTI, can leverage on the Go Negosyo Act not just to strengthen MSMEs and create more job opportunities, but also to promote ease of doing business in the country,” said Sen. Aquino.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Vice President for Tourism Sammie Lim expressed his confidence that the private sector and the government are working together for the growth of local SMEs. "We are very happy that both [the government and the private sector] have initiatives to push for infrastructure development, strengthen the education system, and provide job opportunities for the people," Lim said. PCCI has been one of DILG’s strongest private sector partners in assisting LGUs to be more businessfriendly and competitive.

LGSP-LED Partner-LGUs are expected to be featured in the upcoming Philippine Business Conference in October 2015, still part of Canada, DILG, and PCCI’s assistance for them to promote local investments.