By: Lanie Pitao-Tupaz
NAVAL, Biliran – Instead of encouraging local residents of Biliran province to visit tourist destinations in far away places where they need to spend much of their hard earned money, the Biliran Provincial Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (PMSMEDC) with the encouragement of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), identified three priority sectors to promote in attracting visitors to come to the island province of Biliran.
The PMSMEDC identified the priority sectors in tourism, processed foods, and gifts and home decors (GHD) that need promotion as they have the potential for economic growth considering their availability of resources in both natural and human.
To help these sectors develop and grow, PMSMEDC which is composed of private entrepreneurs and government representatives, recently prepared planned activities for proprietors, operators, and decision-makers in tourism, processed foods, and GHD sectors in making their plans of action for the coming years to make a boom in their respective sectors.
Chosen to attend the two-day planning workshop at Marvin’s Place on June 21 and 22 are the operators, managers, decision-makers of Marvin’s Inn of Naval, VRC Resort of Almeria, Codeshare Travel and Tours of Naval and Nick Parilla of Naval for the tourism sector.
To be invited in the processed foods sector are from the coco wine makers of Cabucgayan town, makers of papaya pickles from Culaba, and Japzel’s of Naval.
From the gift and house decors, to be invited for planning come from the Josephus Collections of Naval, Salangi Bamboo Weavers of Almeria, and Ungali Handicraft makers of Kawayan.
The priority sectors are expected to come up with the challenges that face them in promoting their products and their possible solutions where the PMSMEDC and national government may come in for support.
PMSMEDC is chaired by Governor Gerardo J. Espina, Jr. and co-chaired by Tiburcio A. Morales, Jr.
Diana B. Chawdhury from the private sector serves as vice-chairman with 20 members from the government and private sectors.
PMSMEDC is hopeful that the concerted efforts of the government and private entrepreneurs make a progressive MSMEs that can provide employment to the local residents and boost the economy of Biliran province. # (eopt/FEJ/LPT/PIA8 Biliran)
