Government and business leaders yesterday said they are optimistic about economic growth in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City in 2012 amid high investor confidence.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said he will work to make Negros Occidental self-sufficient in rice, for the revival of the aquaculture industry, and the creation of more information technology jobs in the province in 2012.

The governor said he is optimistic about the economy this year with a 7 percent growth rate expected due to increased Bureau of Internal Revenue collections, higher government savings, and a reduction in corruption that has boosted public trust in government, and investor confidence in the country.

The Aquino administration expects a huge improvement in infrastructure project implementation this year as it is now preparing to issue P141.8 billion worth of allotments from this year’s P182.2 billion infrastructure budget, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad said yesterday.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia also said he is positive the city’s economic growth will be on the roll in 2012 because of the momentum set in 2011 and in previous years.

“Bacolod has become a magnet for investment, progress begets progress,” he said.

SUGAR INDUSTRY

Sugar Regulatory Administrator Ma. Regina Bautista-Martin said she is optimistic about the sugar industry  because the markets for sugar are growing.

There are huge markets for sugar in China, Indonesia and India and domestic consumption is also increasing, she said.

With the milling season expected to end early, Martin also said she expects millgate prices of sugar to increase.

Ben Ortega, president of the Bacolod Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said he believes the Year of the Dragon will be good for the local economy.

“The business climate has changed with less corruption and red tape in government that is good for the economy, we expect it to further improve,” Ortega said.

National and local government officials should work closely together to ensure consistency in the implementation of policies, he said.

Ortega also stressed the need for everyone to take steps to mitigate climate change, to reduce increasing deadly natural calamities.

NERVOUS

Frank Carbon, president of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said while he is optimistic about the country’s economic growth on the long term. He is nervous about the first half of the year.

Carbon said he is worried that the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, the hearing of charges against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, slow release of infrastructure funds to pump-prime the economy and recovery efforts in Tropical Storm Sendong-hit Northern Mindanao could be hindrances to the country’s economic growth.

But on the long term les corruption in government and more predictable policies are likely to boost the economy, he said.

Carbon said investors appear to be bullish with investments pouring in, noting a construction boom all over the country and increased buying of land.

GUV’S GOALS

Marañon said hopefully Negros Occidental will be self-sufficient in rice by the end of the year because “we are almost there”.

He said the provincial government has given the Kabisig rice cooperative in Bago City P5 million to improve its rice mill, other facilities and warehouse.

The provincial government will also help Kabisig to go into palay buying, on top of what is being done by the National Food Authority, to spare rice farmers from being at the mercy of low rates offered by traders, he said.

The provincial government will also work at setting up rice processing centers in Bago City, San Carlos City and in the Himamaylan-Binalbagan area, he said.

“We will also revive the aquaculture industry in the province that has a huge potential,” Marañon said.

A recent survey in the Pala-pala market in Bacolod City showed that only 5 percent of the fish and other products being sold are from the sea, the rest are cultured, he noted.

Negros Occidental has vast fishpond areas that must be developed as the fish and other products of the sea are facing depletion, the governor said.

The provincial government is also working on increasing the number of Negrenses who can avail of information technology jobs by boosting training at its Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center at the Paglaum Sports Complex in Bacolod, he said.

There is also a need to change the mindset of Negrenses working at call centers, he said, pointing out that he was informed that in Bacolod City an 18 percent absenteeism rate has been noted.*CPG

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