By Nanette Guadalquiver July 31, 2019, 4:37 pm

BACOLOD CITY -- The Negros Occidental provincial government will focus on four priority sectors for investments under the administration of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson in the next three years.

These were outlined by former (3rd District) Congressman Alfredo Benitez, the Capitol consultant for economic affairs, during the initial presentation of his plans before the Provincial Board, led by Vice-Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, on Tuesday afternoon.

Benitez, who is also a businessman, said the province is pursuing a proactive strategy to attract investors for high-impact projects in these sectors to spur local economic growth.

“We will bring the province to the doorsteps of the investors. There is a big mindset change in terms of the strategic plan as far as inviting investors is concerned. My contribution to this office is to provide linkages with other investors, not just local, but also international, so that the flow of investments will be faster,” he pointed out.

The four areas include infrastructure development, tourism, technology, and agriculture.

“We feel that the number one area that will induce investments and promote sustainability is infrastructure,” Benitez said.

Under the infrastructure development are an airport, seaport, road network, and digital highway while in tourism, being eyed are investments related to site development, adventure, culinary, agri-tourism, medical tourism, sports tourism, theme parks, diving/beaches, education tourism/language, religious, heritage, and environment.

The preferred investments in technology will be on call centers and science education while agriculture will focus more on agri-business.

Benitez, who is working with the Economic Enterprise Development Department and the Provincial Economic Development and Investment Center, said these priorities are aligned with Lacson’s slogan Abanse Negrense.

Abanse stands for Agriculture, Building/Infrastructure, Advancement of Trade, Industry and Investments, Nurturing Health, Sustainability, Tourism, Culture and Arts, and Education and Sports.

Benitez said at this point, Negros Occidental can open a lot of doors and usher in more investment potentials.

“We will be going on roadshows…so that it becomes more proactive. It is the best way to do so. It has been a successful formula for other countries. Thailand, for example, is one of the major investment countries of Taiwan. It is because every month, they go on roadshows,” he added.

Figures presented by Benitez showed decreasing investments in Negros Occidental in the past three years. In 2016, total investments reached PHP4.4 billion; 2017, PHP3.8 billion; and 2018, PHP1.7 billion. (PNA)