Investments are important drivers for economic stability,
growth and sustainability. They are expected to create more
jobs, increase production, generate more income and provide
a base for the overall development of the region’s economy.
II. Assessment
The needed infrastructure facilities that would support
investments in the region are on going while others are to
be implemented. The on-going major infrastructure projects
in the region are the rehabilitation of the Quirino and
Maharlika Highways, construction of GMA Highway, Albay West
Coast Road and Caramoan Peninsula Road; the six RORO Ports (Tandoc,
Esperanza, San Pascual, Cawayan Claveria and Guijalo);
telecommunications; drainage system; and
the typhoon-damaged power generating plants.
In 2008. however, no activities were undertaken by the
government to rehabilitate the PNR Mainline South and the
Pantao port that were damaged by strong typhoons in 2006.
Other proposed projects supportive of investments were the
construction of Bicol International Airport which is already
at the detailed engineering phase, improvement of
Catanduanes Circumferential Road, the Bicol River Basin
Watershed Management Project, Libmanan-Cabusao Dam Project
and the San Antonio RORO Port in Pilar Sorsogon which is
part of the Central Nautical Highway.
Capability building activities of LGUs, NGAs and private
sector on investment promotion, marketing and facilitation
actrivities were done. In June 2008, the National Economic
Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) - Bicol was
launched by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to
provide a facility that would streamline and simplify the
business registration processes and issuance of permits. The
concept of the NERBAC is a one-stop-action center that could
house under one roof all government agencies in charge of
business registration, licensing and permit issuance
required in establishing business in the region.
Aside from streamlining business licensing, NERBAC’s
functions also include collation and provision of timely and
relevant business information to prospective investors and
investment promotion and facilitation.
The Board of Advisers for the NERBAC Bicol are the heads of
DTI, DA, BIR, DENR, NEDA, PCCI, Filipino-Chinese Chamber of
Commerce and Indusrty, PhilExport and Orgullo Kan Bikol
Association, Inc.
The Plan identified projects geared towards improving the
business environment thus creating an image for Bicol as a
potential investment area in this part of the country to
address the generally lack of awareness among domestic and
international communities of the region’s business and
investment prospects. Of the three activities that were
identified in the Updated Plan, two were undertaken in
2008. These were the creation of the Regional Investment
Promotion Committee (RIPC) under the RDC and the conduct of
training for LGUs on streamlining business procedures.
The RIPC was created by the RDC during its meeting in May
through RDC Resolution No. 33. Its functions included: (a)
develop human resources of the LGUs on investment promotions
and facilitations; (b) provide technical assistance to LGUs
on the formulation of investment incentives code and
establishment of investment promotion unit or center in each
LGU; (c) provide policy direction to harmonize investment
incentives of the different LGUs; and (d) conduct resource
generation activities. The RIPC is chaired by the regional
director of the DTI and co-chaired by the Regional Governor
of the PCCI with the six provincial governors, seven city
mayors, regional director of the DA, DENR, DOT, DOST and
three RDC Private Sector Representatives as members and NEDA
as the secretariat.
The conduct of training workshop on Streamlining Business
Registration Procedures was undertaken in November 2008. It
was facilitated by the NERBAC Bicol and participated by the
Legazpi-Iriga-Naga-Daet Growth Corridor (LINDGC) member LGUs
and selected municipalities in Bicol. The workshop aimed
to come up with a harmonized business registration form and
procedures that would facilitate the processing of business
permits and licenses to make LGUs more investment-friendly.
The participants designed a draft standard form that would
facilitate business registration and licensing.
III.
Prospects and Trends for 2009
For 2009, the region shall prepare the
eventual global economic rebound two or three years from
now. Starting with the capability building of the local
government units who play the most important role in
regional development, the RDC-RIPC
and the NERBAC Bicol will jointly undertake the capability
building training on investment promotions for the LGUs. The
training aims to: (a) advocate for the formulation of
investment and incentive codes by LGUs; (b) encourage LGUs
to establish Investment Promotion Units; (c) equip the
participants with updated knowledge, attitudes and skills on
investment promotion programs; and (d) equip participants
with skills on the preparation of investment
collaterals/brochures.
With the Economic Resiliency Plan for Bicol, the RDC hopes
to put in place infrastructure projects that will help
attract investments in the region. The national government
is doing its part to strengthen the country’s macroeconomic
fundamentals to provide environment conducive for investors.
The region will be
in a better position once the global economy recovers by
preparing early through building the capabilities of the
LGUs and by creating a climate to attract investments.
