Officials of local government units, businesses, MSMEs, and various industries attended the opening of the Siquijor and Negros Island Business Week 2025 at the Atrium of SM North Wing in Bacolod City July 2.
The event, which will run until July 8 on the theme “The Vibrance of Businesses in Siquijor and NIR”, features an MSME exhibit together with various activities, such as table discussions, the Economic Drivers Forum, and a workshop on the Bokashi composting technique, all aimed at empowering and supporting local businesses across the region.
The weeklong event is spearheaded by the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led by its president, Juliana Carbon, the provincial government of Negros Occidental, and the Bacolod City government, in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Siquijor Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, in his message read by executive assistant and Provincial Information Officer Charina Magallanes-Tan, said that for far too long, Negros Occidental and Oriental have been separated by classification rather than geography.
This regional division has often led to missed opportunities for synergy and cooperation, he noted, adding the two provinces share more similarities than differences, being part of one island with a common history, shared aspirations, and a collective responsibility to move forward together.
He said the business week collaborative activity brings with it a wealth of promising possibilities, including more coordinated internal security, improved environmental stewardship, streamlined disaster response, expanded tourism, better access to regional services, and stronger governance.
“In short, it creates fertile ground for economic transformation,” Lacson said in a Capitol press release.
Department of Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions (D-LEDIP) head, Dr. Frances Mae Llamas, who represented Mayor Greg Gasataya, emphasized the importance of innovation, adaptability, and perseverance in today’s business landscape.
She also highlighted Bacolod’s support for MSMEs through streamlined online services, business permit assistance, and collaboration with SBCorp for funding access.
The opening program included the induction of new business members and gathered key figures from the business and government sectors, including PCCI Visayas Area VP Melanie Ng, NOCCI president Edward Du, DOST-NIR OIC director Engr. Rowen Gelonga, DTI-NIR acting director Esperanza Melgar, and MBCCI VP Franklin Carbon, who delivered their messages. Representatives from the DTI, DOST, and SEC were also present.
The opening program concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially launch the product exhibits, the Bacolod D-LEDIP said. ||
