ARRIVALS. Passengers arrive at the Bredco port in Bacolod City on Oct. 31, 2020, the first day of the resumption of fastcraft trips in Western Visayas in about two months. As coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in the city continue to decrease, quarantine restrictions were eased allowing unhampered travel between the cities of Bacolod and Iloilo. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard-Negros Occidental)
BACOLOD CITY – A business leader in Negros Occidental said signals are good for Western Visayas as the region is on its way to economic recovery following the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis.
Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), on Tuesday said the resumption of passenger and cargo ferry service between the cities of Bacolod and Iloilo is encouraging.
“Western Visayas is now open for business with the unhampered movement of people and goods,” said Carbon, operator of fastcraft service Weesam Express.
On Oct. 31, fastcraft services from Bacolod to Iloilo and vice versa have already resumed.
He said traders in the region have committed to restart their trading activities considering that inter-province trading actually contributes 20 to 30 percent to the local economy.
Carbon said hotels in Bacolod are now ready to accept guests, and Sipalay City, one of the major tourism destinations in Negros Occidental, is also reopening to tourists this week.
More than 20 LGUs in Negros Occidental have allowed the reopening of their leisure destinations for tourists under strict health protocols.
In Bacolod, the food delivery service sector is thriving, Carbon said.
He said with the decreasing Covid-19 cases in the city, Bacolod is ready to open for business.
“The National Inter-Agency Task Force is encouraging local government units to start stirring up the local economy,” he added.
Moreover, Carbon said small enterprises have started to avail of loan programs from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) through the Rehabilitation Support Program on Severe Events (RESPONSE), and the Land Bank of the Philippines’ (LBP) Restoration and Invigoration Package for a Self-Sufficient Economy towards Upgrowth (RISE UP) for LGUs. (PNA)
