PIA Press Release
Thursday, January 05, 2012Local business upbeat about Iloilo economyILOILO CITY, Jan. 5 (PIA6) -- Local businessmen remain upbeat about business and investment prospects here in 2012. Iloilo Business Club (IBC) executive director Lea Lara and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Iloilo Chapter president Joe Marie Agriam said in media interviews here that this general outlook of their colleagues is based on recent events in Iloilo. They were referring to the investments put in by a number of businessmen particularly those of Megaworld Corporation, businessman Edgar “Injap” Sia II and Ayala Land, Inc., all in the Mandurriao district area that have created a multiplier effect. Lara and Agriam also acknowledged the support provided by the national and local government in terms of needed infrastructure including roads, which are important in mobility and accessibility of people and goods. Lara said they are forward-looking and optimistic about the New Year. Agriam, for his part, said things are looking rosy. The local PCCI official is particularly upbeat about the coming events in Iloilo including the Dinagyang Festival, 2nd Iloilo International Film Festival and Chinese New Year celebration which would augur well for local tourism and business. Both business leaders also spoke well about local tourism as they said they are also pushing it because of the sector’s bright prospects. It will be recalled that at the start of last year local business leaders also expressed optimism about local business and investment prospects, joining the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in painting a rosy picture of Iloilo in the year just passed. New business investments have been complemented by the P2.4-billion infrastructure projects package, which includes radial and circumferential roads to be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) here. (JCM/JSC/PIA6) | 
