Business groups to tackle Mindanao’s economic problems

Business groups in Mindanao are drafting a policy agenda that will identify pressing economic issues in the island and outline the solutions to these issues.   The policy agenda will then be presented to President Benigno Aquino at the 21st Mindanao Business Conference in August.   The effort is led by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Mindanao Development Authority, with support from the US Agency for International Development.   PCCI and MinDA are holding consultation meetings with various sectors in Zamboanga City, Cagayan de Oro City, and General Santos City to cover different parts of Mindanao.   The results of these consultations will be consolidated and used in formulating the policy agenda.   “These consultations are part of our continuing efforts in policy modification and advocacy to ensure that Mindanao imperatives in key sectors are addressed by the national government,” said Luwalhati Antonino, chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority, in a statement.   The draft policy agenda will be presented by early June to Cabinet secretaries of concerned agencies, and will be refined further at high-level roundtable discussions that will serve as a prelude to the 21st Mindanao Business Conference to be held on Aug. 2-4 in Butuan City.   The Conference will allow Cabinet officials and the private sector to focus on specific issues that affect Mindanao’s competitiveness, and to develop appropriate commitments from government agencies, the business community and other stakeholders.   Last year, the dominant issues at the event were power, agriculture, mining and transportation. —AE/VS, GMA News