CITY OF MAKATI — “Big wigs” in trade and industry coming from government, private sector and foreign embassies graced the Investment Mission cum Matching sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 12 and one of the major activities of the “Treasures of SOCCSKSARGEN” (SOX) Travel & Trade Expo held at Berjaya Hotel, this city, during the second day of the 4-day activity.
Board of Investments (BOI) chief Rosario Dominguez, one of the guests during the investment matching, hailed region 12 as one of the more aggressive among the country’s regions in investment promotions which resulted to the robust growth of its industry and service sectors.
Likewise, DTI Regional Operations Group chief Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya resounded Dominguez’s remark and commended region 12 particularly the Department of Tourism (DOT) 12, local government units (LGUs), the private sector and stakeholders for their effort in promoting their region.
Raymond Salansang, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Regional Governor for South-Western Mindanao, started the ball rolling for the group with the presentation of SOX Tourism Projects to potential investors.
Twelve (12) development projects were presented by the different SOCCSKSARGEN LGUs to led by South Cotabato LGU with seven (7) projects.
Leading the presentation for South Cotabato were Asst. Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator and Local Economic and Investment Promotion Officer Emmanuel Jumilla and Senior Tourism Operations Officer Cesar Sulit Jr.
The projects presented were the San Felipe Development Project cum Artists Village in Tantangan worth P60 million, the 7-Falls Development Project in Lake sebu (P75 million), Paraiso Golf Course and Theme Park in Koronadal City (P91 million), Lake Lahit Dream Aqua and Restaurant in Lake Sebu (P120 million), Emily Green Park Resort Development Project in Surallah (P24 million) and Mt. Matutum Fruit Park Development Project in Tupi (P 52 million).
Likewise, other LGUs showed their respective project proposals such as, the Development of Ladol Beach, Alabel Sarangani and the Development of Lake Beto for Alabel LGU, Sarangani; Gen. Santos City East Coast Eco-tourism Development Plan and Bagong Buhay Eco-tourism Village for Gen. Santos City; Kidapawan Eco-tourism Corridor of Kidapawan City LGU, North Cotabato.
After the presentation Tourism Infrastructure and Economic Zone Authority (TIEZA) official Michael Louis Flororita discussed with Jumilla and Sulit the possibility of making a Flagship Tourism Economic Zone (TEZ) in 7-Falls, Lake Sebu.
The TIEZA official promised to visit the province sometime in June this year to validate the data presented during investment mission.
Earlier, presenters of the projects made a “dry-run” or rehearsal at Makati Palace Hotel spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 12 prior to the formal presentation.
