“We must take advantage of our growth drivers – tourism, IT-BPM ( Information Technology-Business Process Management), manufacturing and construction, and explore other industries in order to sustain the growth of our region.”

That was the challenge yesterday of Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Regional Business Opportunities Visayas Forum held at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City, with the theme, “Promoting Business Partnerships and Good Governance in the Visayas Region.”

Citing the thrust of the national government to shift investments away from Metro Manila to other parts of the country, Lacson said he hopes the forum will enable the participants to fully explore the potentials of the region and partnerships.

“If the Philippines wishes to be truly progressive, we must work on our integrity and banish corruption and suspicions of corruption,” he also said.

Aside from the moral degradation it causes, corruption has a lot to do with unsatisfactory economic performance, making countries poorer and less attractive to investments, Lacson pointed out.

“We need not only pursue honesty and integrity, but we must also pursue discipline and efficiency…As LGUs we must give importance to the factors that are seriously examined by investors,” Lacson said.

“Ending the culture of corruption is the best way we can maximize the economic potential of the Philippines,” he said.

Marcelo Cacho, Panay Electric Company head of Energy and Government Affairs, spoke of how the future of the energy industry is in the power of choice, and on new ways of retailing and delivering power.

The event was co-organized by the Local Government Integrity Circles (LoGIC) Network, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, European Union, and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.

Participants and delegates composed of LGU officials and representatives from the private and business sectors from the six provinces of Western Visayas attended the event.*