May 10,2012 2nd Eastern Visayas Business Conference Among Chamber Industries In Region 8 Held At Kuting Reef By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr. Kuting Reef, Macrohon.Southern Leyte-A second Eastern Visayas business conference among twelve chamber industries here in region 8(Leyte and Samar) was held at the picturesque enclave of Kuting Reef(tel. no.(053) 572-1023; mobile phone 0930-311-4106) with a theme “One Region…One Team: Economic Development Thru Public-Private Sector Initiative” The first one was held at Tacloban’s Leyte Park. The 12 chamber industries that have attended the affair were: 1)Southern Leyte Chamber and Commerce and Industry,Inc.led by its President Engr. Robert Castañares-the host; 2)Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its President Robert Tiu; 3)Isabel Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Engr. Serlito Purisima; 4)Guian Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its President Dr. Alfred Perez; 5)Ormoc Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its President Joel Brazil; 6)Palompon Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Warblitz Martinez; 7)Borongan Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its President Oscar Ty; 8)Samar Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Dr. Dominador Cabanganan; 9)Samar Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Ms. Elena Uy; 10)Calbayog Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Nicolas Chan; 11)Catarman Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Sixto Espina,Jr.; 12)Baybay Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Nestor Sy,Jr. Business discussions on various topics related to business opportunities among the officials-members of chamber industries were brought out during the two-day activities. Each chamber was also given enough time to present their respective investment opportunities as businessmen gathered inside the conference room for long hours. Engr. Robert Castañares presented first the Southern Leyte economic development framework. In his presentation he divulged that after surveying the municipalities in the province he found out that great numbers of workers were employed by the government offices with small percentage working in private offices or businesses. He also found out that LGUs were IRA-dependent and that most businesses were classified as small enterprises. There’s also supply of rice but not enough to provide employment for workers or laborers. During the past several decades abaca was the province’s dollar earner, he informed the audience. However, with the infestation of the unstoppable bunchy top diseases affecting all abaca plantations in the entire province, abaca was diminished to an insignificant few. What remains was the coconut to be the dominant crop, he said. He said that with the private-public partnership scheme, farmers and planters in the entire province, together with the assistance of the SLCCII, businesses should focus on the mass plantation and mass production of coconut in order that it could employ workers in the fields. Another kind of business that the province should do to improve its economic condition is the tapping of its potential tourist spots in various municipalities. Dr. Guindolino Gerona of VISCA (now VSU) in his “greening economy” strongly urged farmers/planters and the attending businessmen in the six provinces to start mass production and plantation of coco seedlings in different municipalities’ farms/lots. He said there’s also the need to increase rice plantations as one of its highly dependent crops as staple food. Gerona said that 8,000 hectares of rice fields and 50,000 hectares of coconut farms need to be rehabilitated. He claimed that some coconuts planted in 5,000 hectares need to be replaced with new plant seeds as it already reached its senility stage, bearing no fruits. Moreover, Gerona further admonished farmers and businessmen to implement intercropping under coconut plantations in different areas of Southern Leyte and in other part of region 8.One of the crops suitable for intercropping, he said, is coffee preferably the Robusta variety, including bananas and some vegetables and fruit trees. “This method of intercropping can increase production as well as income for the farmers and planters”, he said. He stressed that planting more coconut trees and practicing intercropping method to increase production of goods is like “hitting 2 birds in one stone”. Since planting of additional fruit trees and coconuts thru intercropping can also help mitigate the greenhouse effect or climate change. Meanwhile,Egnr. Castañares further informed the audience that already developed in 3 hectares of lot inside the former Danao rehabilitation project now known as City Forest Park is the Maasin Zoo in Malapoc Norte which was open to the public during the second day of the business conferrence.It is located 15 kilometers away from the proper city. Another spot to be developed is the canopy walk in Silago with cascading waterfalls not far from the rainforest. Limasawa has also been included in the plan for tourism development in the near future according to Castañares like construction of starbuck coffee shop and other amenities that provide attraction to both local and foreign tourists. Earlier, Governor Damian G.Mercado delivered his keynote speech, while Roy Fiel, Governor of PCCI gave his opening statement. Other speakers were Governor Damian G. Governor Damian G.Mercado Roy Fiel-Governor,PCCI Bonifacio Uy of NEDA,Raul Repolda of DA-Ormoc office, Cynthia Nierras of DTI- regional office,Alejandro Bautista of DENR-CENRO-San Juan, PCA Regional Manager Edilberto Nierva,DOT Regional Director Karen Tiopes, Engr.Edgardo Esperancilla of DOST regional office, Robert Go owner of Prince Warehouse Club. Also present, among others were, Michael Nuñez of DTI-Maasin and his staff, GIZ representatives, City Councilor Nestor Sy, Engr.Arthur Marte, other unidentified local businessmen, Tacloban and the Maasin media.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)