08/07/2025
Governor B**g Lacson addresses the Siquijor and Negros Island and Business Week 2025
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the creation of the Negros Island Region, which includes Siquijor, is more than just an administrative change.
It represents the realization of a shared dream—a dream that has been over 30 years in the making. We have long believed that the immense potential of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, along with the strength of our people, can best be harnessed through unifying our efforts.
In recent days, we have witnessed the benefits of collaborating, combining our strengths, and embracing a shared identity within our region.
We have seen emerging enterprises gain recognition, local innovators tap into new markets, and policymakers, investors, and community builders align around a common purpose.
When we discuss economic drivers, we refer to the forces that propel our communities forward—be it production, investment, consumption, innovation, or trade. In practical terms, these drivers are best understood through the sectors that impact our local economy.
At the forefront of these sectors are our Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. Micro Enterprises alone account for more than a significant portion of our economy. Our commitment is to support our farmers in becoming more productive, climate-resilient, and better connected to markets.
Given the natural resources of our island and Siquijor, tourism—particularly eco and cultural tourism—remains one of our most promising economic multipliers.
Our focus now should be on developing the systems—transportation, safety, and digital presence—that will allow tourism to thrive while preserving our environment and supporting local communities.
We have also achieved a historic victory for organic and sustainable agriculture. Negros Occidental, recognized as the organic food bowl of the Philippines, has won the international bid to host the World Organic Congress in 2027, defeating Brisbane, Australia.
This win is a global acknowledgment of our leadership in ecological farming and people-centered development.
In this same spirit, we are proud to partner with Bacolod City as it hosts the Slow Food Terra Madre Asia Pacific event in November 2025.
These events will draw attention to our island, showcasing not only our rich agricultural heritage but also our commitment to creating food systems that are good, clean, and fair for all.
Technology and innovation are reshaping our lives and business practices, which is why we are investing in digital transformation—not just for government systems but also for our entrepreneurs and learners.
Technology levels the playing field, enabling a sari-sari store to access mobile banking or a rural startup to reach international buyers online.
Guided by the belief that a pool of skilled and highly trained Negrenses is valuable to business, we inaugurated the new Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center (NOLITC) campus in Talisay City last week.
Since its establishment in 2008, NOLITC has been at the forefront of human capital development in the province.
It is set to become an innovation hub focused on AI training, micro-credential courses, and international certification programs.
We look forward to expanding our global partnerships and offering international courses in collaboration with esteemed schools in the Northern Territory, Australia.
Additionally, we cannot discuss long-term economic growth without addressing energy.
The Negros Island Region is uniquely positioned to lead in clean and renewable energy.
As we strive for greater self-sufficiency and sustainability, the energy sector will continue to create opportunities for green jobs, investments, and responsible industrialization.
We will emphasize this at our 2nd Renewable Energy Expo, which will take place from July 17 to 19.
However, robust drivers need the right conditions to thrive. This is where government and business must come together.
All of these sectors, and many more, are interconnected. They prosper best when there is confidence in governance, access to financing, peace and order, skilled human capital, and clear regional direction. These, too, are economic drivers—and they are ours to shape.
Our role—whether in government, business, or civil society—is to remove obstacles, open doors, and ensure that progress is not only achievable but also accessible.
We aim to promote an economy that values both enterprise and equity.
Let this Business Week serve as a reminder that the vibrancy of our economy is defined not by any single sector but by the diversity of contributions across our islands, from agribusiness and tourism to technology, handicrafts, food innovation, and much more.
Let us continue to build partnerships rooted in trust and driven by the shared vision of a more connected, competitive, and compassionate region.
As I have previously stated, for far too long, we have been separated by classification rather than by geography. This regional separation has often led to missed opportunities for synergy and cooperation.
Yet, we know this to be true: we have more similarities than differences. We belong to one island, sharing a common history, aspirations, and a bright future.
📷 Ronnie Baldonado
