The Provincial Government of Guimaras, through the Provincial Economic Development Office (PEDO), successfully conducted a two-day Investment Briefs Writeshop and Validation on August 19-20, 2024, at Caza Guesthouse, San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras.
This event, aimed at refining and pitching investment-ready projects within the province, brought together 35 participants, including Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Officers, Tourism Officers from the five municipalities, and representatives from the Guimaras Resorts and Lodging Association, Guimaras Homestay Association, Department of Science and Technology, Buenavista and Jordan Water Districts, and other provincial government offices.
On Day 1, Ms. Mary Lou Escullar, Senior Tourism Operations Officer, and Mr. Artemio P. Ticar, Supervising Tourism Operations Officer of the Department of Tourism VI, provided crucial updates on the Western Visayas tourism industry and the DOT Accreditation System, while Mr. Francis Gentoral, PED Officer of PEDO, discussed the essentials of investment promotion and the steps in preparing an investment brief. Participants then worked in groups on assigned investment briefs, guided by facilitators.
On Day 2, participants learned how to create effective pitch decks from Mr. Michael John Destua, Business Development and Marketing Officer of Iloilo Science and Technology University, followed by presentations of the participants’ assigned investment briefs.
A panel of experts, including Mr. Ticar, Mr. Destua, Ms. Amalia B. Gabion, Mr. Sanie D. Ong of the Guimaras Island Chamber of Commerce, and Hon. Felipe Hilan A. Nava, SP Chairperson on Tourism, graded and critiqued the presentations.
The Best Presenter Award was given to Mr. Jaylord Saplagio of the Buenavista Tourism Office for his outstanding presentation of the Side Streets project.
This initiative is part of the ongoing efforts to promote economic development and attract potential investors by ensuring that project proposals are well-prepared and aligned with the province’s growth strategies.