Iloilo, Guimaras eye ₱500-M investments in upcoming forum

ILOILO CITY – An upcoming forum in Manila is eyeing at least ₱500 million in investments for Iloilo City, the neighboring towns in Iloilo province, and the islandprovince of Guimaras.

The Metro Iloilo-guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC), in partnership with the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation Inc. (ILED) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Pcci-iloilo chapter), is holding a forum on November 20 at Conrad Hotel in Pasay City.

“As economic developments are moving beyond the borders of Iloilo City, the alliance in Metro Iloilo-guimaras invites investors to look into the growing economies of these new areas as provides a rare opportunity to grow their investments,” said Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, MIGEDC chairperson.

Since last year, the inter-local government alliance of MIGEDC has been looking into bringing more development outside Iloilo City as part of the recovery from the pandemic, in particular, bringing investors to the towns of Pavia, Oton, Leganes, Santa Barbara, Cabatuan, and San Miguel in Iloilo as well as the municipalities of Buenavista, Jordan, Nueva Valencia, San Lorenzo, and Sibunag in Guimaras.

Ryan Washburn, mission director of the United States Agency for International Development (Usaid)-philippines, will deliver the keynote address.

Other speakers are former Ilonggo Sen. Franklin Drilon, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Guimaras Gov. JC Rahman Nava, and Treñas.

MIGEDC Executive Director Velma Lao said key business executives from the power sector, logistics, manufacturing, tourism, healthcare, real estate, and information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) will serve as panelists.