Negros Oriental economy remains strong amid global economic recession

by Rachelle M. Nessia

Dumaguete City (7 August) — The local economy in the province remains in good shape despite the global economic slowdown that has upset the national and international economies.

This was noted by Msgr. Merlin Logronio, president of the Negros Oriental Network of NGOs (non-government organizations) in a recent press conference as he pointed out that there are now more developments mushrooming in the province compared to the past.

“We can see more infrastructures and I can see changes and improvements even in the services in the province,” said Msgr. Logronio.

Bert Aquino, Negornet Board Member, speaking in the same forum, explained that the global financial crisis has mostly affected economies that are export-led or import-dependent. “In Negros Oriental, you seldom see industries that are dependent on importation. Duna’y ginagmay pero dili kayo,” he said.

Aquino said that the province’s economy is very local and is anchored heavily on agricultural, establishments and the local government which is the biggest employer in the province.

Despite the province being seemingly impervious to the global financial crisis, there is still more that needs to be done, said Msgr. Logronio. “We still have a tremendous lack of resources. For example, I believe there are many schools being put up pero dili ra gyud ta kaapas,” he explained.

In terms of employment or lack of it, he urged Negrenses to be resourceful and invent for themselves what they can do and be positive about it.

“Our population is growing rapidly that no good government can really keep up with it,” he lamented.

He stressed that the government has been responsive and trying their best and “we give them credit for that but they cannot do everything.”

He said that it is now up to the private sector to respond midway and organize themselves to respond to the global demands and changes affecting everyone. “I see so many opportunities for the local sector to continue improving our situation,” he explained.

This was echoed by Aquino, who added that this is now the challenge of the local government officials – how to further strengthen the local economy “so we won’t be vulnerable with whatever happens to the global economy.”

Said press conference was held to announce Negornet’s 17th anniversary and its 6th Annual NegOr NGO & PO (people’s organizations) Week from August 3 to 8.

Negornet is composed of 25 NGOs and POs and was formed to serve as a mechanism in consolidating the NGOs and POs along local development and in facilitating meaningful participation in local governance.

Reports of higher government spending and continued resiliency of remittances are among the things that would prop-up the Philippine economy in the second quarter of this year.

Philippine Equity Partners Inc. (PEP) analyst Jojo Gonzales considers the 0.4 percent output of the domestic economy in the first quarter this year as the “worst quarter in terms of growth.”

“Increased government spending, sustained bank lending, the bottoming out of trade, stable remittance flows, all suggest mildly better growth in (the) second quarter,” he said. (PIA/RMN)