There are a lot of opportunities coming to Bacolod City particularly in the tourism industry with the SMX Convention Center, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority chief operating officer Mark Lapid said yesterday at the opening of the first Bacolod Trade Expo and Conferences at the Northwing of SM City Bacolod.

Lapid also lauded Bacolod City for pushing for a more vibrant tourism industry even when others say that Negros and Bacolod are left behind.

He said it takes time and a lot of efforts for the city or any locality to develop its tourism infrastructures starting from the airports,  roads, facilities, accommodations, destinations and activities.

It all starts with the local government to fire up its tourism programs and potentials with the participation of the various sectors, he added.

Lapid said it is good that everybody is accepting and realizing the potential of the tourism industry in the country. “It gives livelihood to our people and is among the top contributor to our Gross National Product. It is also the main contributor to our economic development and a vehicle in producing and creating jobs,” he added.

When people have jobs, the economy grows. That is the value chain that is being created by tourism, he said.

Lapid said he is glad that the Business Process Outsourcing is also in Bacolod, being the No. 3 top contributor to the country’s GDP aside from the overseas contract workers, electronics, and tourism as number four.

The convention center will be a new start for the new generation  and in the tourism industry, he said.

“I truly hope that we can proceed with the hosting of the Mice Asia Pacific Exhibition and Conference in 2016,” Lapid added.

Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella said he thanks the Sy family for giving Bacolod a fantastic convention center. 

He said SM and the city plan to hold a bigger tourism summit at the SMX convention center that will involve another Ambassador for Tourism, Rafael Alunan, III, and Bobby Joseph and event organizers from all over the Philippines to come and help establish this convention center.

Puentevella also thanked the Association of Negros Producers and the Bacolod Traders because SM Prime Holdings president Hans Sy is also looking forward to another Bacolod Trade Fair to be held in SM Mall of Asia, Manila.

Meanwhile, Senator Cynthia Villar, who was also at the opening of the first Bacolod MassKara City at the newly opened SM City Expansion yesterday, proceeded to the Bacolod City Government Center for a quick meeting with the local city officials and barangay leaders.

Villar expressed her gratitude to be invited at the government center and to celebrate the MassKara Festivities. She also lauded the barangay officials, leaders and employees who took time out to join her in her brief visit to City Hall.

As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, Villar said she recognized the established Trade Expo as it is one of the venues a city can promote micro, small and medium enterprises to the public. Further, she pointed that 90 percent of all businesses in the country fall in this category.

“It’s a big boost to the economy and is one way to bring about economic development that will trickle down to the underprivileged,” said Villar, who is also sitting on the Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises.*CGS