Resolutions adopted during the 18th Visayas Area Business Conference

18th Visayas Area Business Conference
One Visayas: Regional Economic Development, Key to Progress
July 17-18, 2009, Sarabia Manor Hotel & Convention Center


The adoption of resolutions was headed by the Regional Governors of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry Region VI & VIII, Mr. Guidon I. Dela Cruz & Mr. Francis Monera respectively.

A resolution was passed by the Area Vice president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry for Visayas Area, Mr. Jose T. Ng for the adoption of said resolutions. It was duly seconded and approved.

The adoption of the resolutions signals the end of the 2 days conference hosted by the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Iloilo through the leadership of Mr. Joe Marie Agriam, President.

Adopted Resolutions
COMPETITIVENESS
1. Resolution urging the National Government to further enhance and intensify infrastructure development to improve the country’s competitiveness ranking;

2. Resolution urging the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to ensure timely approval and release of budget for priority infrastructure projects in the country;

3. Resolution urging the National Government to come up with serious and sustainable campaign that will penalize oil smuggling in the country as it causes distortion of fuel prices in the country;

4. Resolution urging the national office of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), through the PCCI Western Visayas Regional Governor’s Office, for the endorsement and implementation of the Kalibo Circumferential Road Projects;

5. Resolution urging the Local Government of Guimaras to explore other sources of funding, through Executive Order 809 which allow LGUs to access multilateral financial institutions, to further develop an efficient water system for Sibunag, San Lorenzo, and New Valencia;

6. Resolution urging the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to prioritize the review of the new ruling declaring Caticlan Airport as “one entry, one exit” as it greatly affects tourism flow in the Visayas region;

7. Resolution urging the National Government to prioritize the construction of ferry boat terminals in Iloilo City, and in the Municipality of Buenavista and Jordan, Guimaras under a public- private partnership arrangement (Build- Operate- Transfer Scheme);

ENERGY

8. Resolution urging the Department of Energy to issue a Department Order requiring oil companies to sign supply and purchase agreement with the local bio- ethanol investors and producers qualified under the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Bio- Fuels Act of 2006

9. Resolution urging the Department of Energy to review and come up with a more transparent system of monitoring of oil companies’ competitive pricing of fuel;

10. Resolution urging the National Government, through the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to put a moratorium on any proposed National Power Corporation (NPC) electricity rate hike in Visayas;

HEALTH

11. Resolution urging the National Government to immediately implement the provisions of the Cheaper Medicines Law to require medical practitioners to recognize the urgent need to prescribe and inform the patient or his family of the generic medicines;

LOCAL GOVERNANCE

12. Resolution requesting the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for additional PNP personnel to be detailed/ assigned at the Ati- Atihan Town of Kalibo, Province of Aklan and San Jose, Antique;

13. Resolution urging the National Government to provide the much needed funds for the establishment and creation of the
support facilities/ structures to fully implement the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Law to help prevent offenses committed by minors;
MINING

14. Resolution urging the national office of PCCI to intervene in preventing major mining activities from taking place in Guimaras;

TOURISM

15. Resolution urging the National Government to come with an integrated tourism plan that will cater to traffic demand and supply, benefiting both the Caticlan and Aklan airport terminals and spur tourism activities in Boracay.

16. Resolution urging the Department of Tourism (DOT) to ensure private sector participation in the finalization of the IRR of the Tourism Act;

17. Resolution urging the PCCI through the regional offices to organize a Tourism Summit for Visayas stakeholders;

TRADE POLICY

18. Resolution requesting the President to appoint a permanent trade negotiator and create an Industry and Services Advisory Council (ISAC) to institutionalize private sector participation and consultation process in trade negotiations.