In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

Guimaras aims to be agri-eco-tourism capital of west Visayas

By Perla Lena

November 9, 2017, 5:12 pm

JORDAN, Guimaras -- Guimaras is strengthening support facilities to improve the province’s agriculture and tourism industries as the local government aims to become the “agri-eco-tourism” capital of Western Visayas.

Governor Samuel Gumarin, who delivered his State of the Province Address (SOPA) during the special session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on Wednesday, underscored the province’s priorities to improve transportation and water supply systems and services on health, education and employment.

In an interview, he said the province in the next five years is assured of some PHP5.5 billion funds for road improvement projects, among others, that are expected to boost these target industries.

The agriculture industry of the province continues to grow. It is 112 percent rice sufficient and has increased production of corn, seaweeds, vegetables and cashews.

Its tourism sector also continues to rake in big receipts. Tourist arrivals almost doubled in 2016 when compared to 2015. During the first seven months of this year, they have already documented 82,962 tourist arrivals from their 108,000 target.

Overall, Gumarin said the province of Guimaras has “improved.”

“Our economic picture is seen to have sustained its upward direction giving importance to our major economic drivers: agriculture, fishery and tourism,” he said.

The province has improved from the 52nd spot in 2016 to 27th rank this year, according to the National Competitiveness Council.

He cited that registered businesses in the province grew by 4.5 percent last year from 2015. The total capital investments of 2, 605 registered businesses reached PHP775.3 million.

He added that electricity rate in the province for common households dropped to PHP11 per kilowatt-hour (kwh) from an almost PHP14/kwh.

Guimaras also recorded its highest employment rate of 95 percent in January 2016.

Another significant indicator is the continuing decrease in poverty incidence. He cited that 12 in every 100 poor families were lifted out of poverty in 2016. From a 16.9 percent poverty incidence in 2012, it dropped to 4.8 percent in 2015.

He added that 95 percent of the town’s population was provided with livelihood programs.

“These show our collective efforts and partnerships in implementing poverty alleviation programs,” he said.

Gumarin also talked about the increased agriculture production, improved health conditions and million pesos worth of projects implemented in the province.

He added that municipalities through their rural health units have started rehabilitation sessions for mild and moderate cases of drug addiction in their areas. Crime volume was 20 percent lower compared to that in 2015.

The governor also cited the accomplishments of his administration in terms of environmental protection governance management.

“I think we will continue to work with other sectors, with our mayors in reaching the vision and mission of the province to become an agri-eco-tourism capital (of Western Visayas),” he added. (PNA)

Comments