An ordinance promoting and strengthening Bacolod City as a choice destination for national and international meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) was approved on third and final reading Wednesday.

The ordinance authored by Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue and co-authored by councilors Sonya Verdeflor and Jose Carlos Lopez said in the Asia Pacific Region, as one of the fastest developing regions in the world, MICE industry development can be a key driver of economic growth, regional cooperation and intellectual development.

MICE tourism can bring benefits beyond profits and short term jobs to include adding competitive advantage to destinations, diversifying source markets and engaging both hosts and guests in global, regional and local issues, it said

Meanwhile, Batapa-Sigue said a special committee will be convened by Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella to develop, plan, recommend and help implement strategies and mechanisms to effectively position the City of Bacolod as a destination or location for MICE.

She said the BMCPB in coordination with the Local Investment Board will develop appropriate fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for the private and business sector to continuously and aggressively attract the MICE industry to Bacolod, subject to the approval of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.*APN

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