PCCI-Aklan urges govt to bolster policies to lure investors in food, trade terminals

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in Aklan is urging both Sen. Bam A. Aquino and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to strengthen policy measures to lure investors in engaging in both food and trade terminals.

Guidon de la Cruz, secretary of PCCI-Aklan, said he met with Aquino recently in Metro Manila to discuss the need of food terminals, especially in the province of Aklan.

“Both our food and trade supply in Boracay came from the different provinces in the country. Our local farmers could not cope with the demand since the tourism industry in Boracay requires huge volumes. Food terminals are needed so that the production of farmers could be gathered and cope with the increasing demand in Boracay,” he said.

He recommended to Aquino that the policy on food terminals could be integrated with the Go Negosyo centers of the DTI. Aquino is considered the father of GoNegosyo centers in the country.

Earlier, Aklan Gov. Florencio Miraflores said the province is bent on looking for possible investors for the operation of both food and trade terminals in the province.

Maricar Ituralde, chief of DTI-Aklan, said that, aside from the food, trade inputs being produced by local small and medium entrepreneurs  in the province also need to have a terminal.

“We are also currently promoting among the resorts in Boracay the use of the green products among the stakeholders in Boracay. There is a lot of potential, but we could not cope with the demand due to the absence of a terminal for trade and food,” she said.