Mindanao traders seek gov’t aid to improve business environment

MinBizCon is an annual gathering of both private and government sectors where they discuss economic concerns and opportunities that will lead to policy resolutions for the improvement of business and investment climate in the island-region. (Photo: Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA)/Facebook)

DAVAO CITY — Mindanao businessmen concluded the 27th Mindanao Business Conference (Minbizcon) with the passage of 17 resolutions seeking government support in improving the overall business environment in the country’s south.

Tagum City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCCI) president Virgilio Agunod told journalists at Wednesday’s Habi at Kape Forum at Abreeza, that business chambers in Mindanao passed the resolutions in the hope that government would address issues affecting the business sector.

Among them is an appeal by the Northern Mindanao chamber for government to fast-track the release of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Ease of Doing Business Act of 2018.

He said the Western Mindanao Chamber of Commerce requested the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) to relax its rules and regulations to enable small contractors to participate in government bidding for infrastructure projects in Mindanao.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Mindanao Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution urging the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to find out why tuna harvests have been decreasing in the Caraga waters.

It also requested BFAR to strictly enforce policies against the smuggling of high-value aquamarine products in the ports and to promote the use of advanced technologies to support the development of Caraga’s high-value aquamarine products.

The resolution also urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to strictly implement policies on illegal logging in the Eastern Mindanao region.

The other resolutions also include a request for the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to accelerate the project to increase the capacity of the Tacurong-Sultan Kudarat Power Transmission in order to stabilize the power supply in the City of Cotabato.

Other concerns were on infrastructure, the Marawi Rehabilitation, Mining and Mineral Resources and Taxation.

Agunod said the different chambers also expressed support to TRAIN 2’s lowering of corporate income taxes and the rationalization/review of fiscal incentives for investments in Mindanao.

This year’s Minbizcon held last week was hosted by Tagum City.