Panay emerging as 5th economic giant in PHL

The island of Panay, consisting of the provinces of Aklan, Iloilo, Antique and Capiz, is now being considered the fifth preferred economic destination in the country and still continues to grow.

Thus said Diosdado P. Cadena Jr., provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry  (DTI) in Iloilo, in an interview with the BusinessMirror.

The top 5 economic-giant regions in the country are the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, Central Visayas, Davao Region and Panay representing Western Visayas.

Cadena was here as guest of honor representing the DTI regional offices for the culminating exercise of 20 Mentor Me Program in the province. Cadena was former DTI provincial director
of Aklan.

“Panay Island is becoming an economic giant because of the infrastructure boom in Iloilo being the center of trade and education, while Aklan complements economic growth because of Boracay Island. We expect more investors to come,” he said.

Maricar Iturralde, currently the DTI-Aklan provincial director, said she has a high hopes for the 20 Mentor Me fellows who graduated.

“The 20 Mentor Me fellows came from different sectors in the 17 municipalities of Aklan. They underwent trainings on business management, hoping to become upgraded entrepreneurs to further help the economy,” she said.

Aklan Gov. Florencio Miraflores in his state of the province address said the province continues to become a billionaire province.

“We also anticipate the entrance of big new investors, such as the joint-venture agreement with Mabuhay Maritime Express Transport Inc. for the Kalibo Reclamation and Development Project and the signed memorandum of understanding for the establishment of the cruise-ship hub in Caticlan,” he said.