SPI took part in a dialogue and discussion of Mindanao business leaders during the recently-concluded 28th Mindanao Business Conference last Sept 12-14, 2019, at the MSU-IIT in Iligan City.

SPI COMREL Manager and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Northern Mindanao Regional Governor Ghaye Alegrio represented the company to the largest annual gathering of businessmen in the island and led several plenary discussions in tackling critical business issues and concerns.

More than 700 delegates from business, policymakers, and stakeholders from the government and private sector attended the 3-day conference. Activities included technical seminars on Franchising, requirements for HALAL Certification, Chamber Management; Plenary Sessions on MARAWI Rehabilitation, Investment Opportunities in Tourism, Manufacturing, and Logistics; Business Support programs centering on Innovation and Technology;

For the 1st time in the history of MINBIZCON, SULONG PILIPINAS’ (Mindanao leg ) consultative workshop was held back-to-back with MINBIZCON.

A major milestone of the conference is the immediate response from  President Duterte’s Cabinet Secretary, Karlo Nograles on the policy resolutions submitted by PCCI  Mindanao.

Secretary Nograles in his speech, committed to prioritizing in the 2020 National Expenditure Program the following major infrastructure  projects and programs:

1) Upgrading the airport capabilities in Pagadian, Ozamiz, Tandag, Surigao, Camiguin  and the expansion of the Laguindingan Airport;

2) Roads Leveraging Linkages for Industry and a Trade (ROLL-IT) proposals from all regions in Mindanao;

3) Rehabilitation of the Agus-Pulangi Hydro Power plants;

4) Rehabilitation programs for Marawi City (livelihood, telecommunications, and other social services);

5) Packages of services and assistance for the implementation of Executive Order 70 – the Whole of Nation Approach to address peace and development in Mindanao. Target groups are geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, communities whose poverty incidence is more than 30% and conflict areas in Mindanao.