‘Make WV attractive to investors’

BY FELIPE CELINO

ROXAS City — Gov. Victor Tanco urged local government units to make Western Visayas attractive to investors.

“Our priority for the coming years is precisely to make Western Visayas attractive to investors,” said Tanco during the inaugural meeting of the Regional Development Council 6 yesterday at the Sarabia Manor Hotel in Iloilo City.

Tanco, the new chairperson of the RDC-6, cited the private sector, businessmen and the investors as the main engines for the growth of regional and national economies.

“Our efforts must be focused on attracting as many domestic and foreign direct investments to locate their projects in Western Visayas and not elsewhere,” he said.

He also called on local chief executives to reduce the processing time for the issuance of business permits, and to streamline all clearances required from prospective businesses.

Sen. Franklin Drilon served as the RDC’s inaugural meeting guest speaker.

Also present were Ma. Luisa Segovia of the Iloilo Business Club Inc., RDC-6 co-chair; governors, mayors, president of the League of Municipalities, president of capital towns, member regional line agencies and private sector representatives.

For his part, Drilon committed to support the programs and projects of the RDC.

“I will do my share to attend (to) and realize these objectives through seeking funds for these laudable programs and projects,” said Drilon.

During the meeting, the RDC-6 approved the new Medium-Term Regional Development Plan for Western Visayas covering 2011–2016, as well as the National Economic Development Authority’s (NEDA) project on “Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction/Climate Change Adaptation in Provincial Planning.”

The NEDA project is assisted by the United Nations Development Program and the Australian Aid for International Development./PN



   


Police exec welcomes drug test

ROXAS City — A top provincial police official welcomed the on-the spot drug testing.

The recent surprise drug testing among police officers in Metro Manila shows the determination of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in “cleaning” its officers, according to Senior Supt. Renato Gumban, provincial police director.

With a regular drug testing activity in the police, the public will be assured that their protectors against criminalities are free from illegal drugs, Gumban stressed.

Drug testing among uniformed personnel, like the PNP, would flush out drug users from among their ranks, he said.

“Should our men be found positive of using illegal drugs, they shall be dealt with sanctions accordingly,” Gumban pointed out.

He added that they have been stepping up their campaign to curb illegal drugs in Capiz in close coordination with the different local government units and the various sectors of the community. (Jemin B. Guillermo/PIA/PN

(Disclamer)
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