Cebu should strengthen shipbuilding, agriculture

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu has to develop its strength in other industries, aside from the obvious growth in its business process outsourcing (BPO) and tourism segments, an expert from the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) recommended.

Shipbuilding, further development of mango industry, and strengthening the human capital are just few of Cebu’s wealth that could be further developed and given utmost attention in order to gain wider revenue contribution and big employment generation.

AIM’s policy center executive director Ronald Mendoza said the shipbuilding industry in Cebu is a “sunrise” industry that deserves attention and proper support from the government. He said this big employment provider industry is one of the strengths of  Cebu, but he clarified that promotion and policy support should also be improved.

Mendoza mentioned that in line with the development of shipbuilding sector, Cebu should also develop good research and development (R&D) for the fishery sector, as this is also seen to help fishermen along the coastline towns improve their way of living.

Further development in the mango industry is also highly recommended. Although Cebu has already made its name in the worldwide chain for the different mango processed food products, this can be enhanced, said Mendoza.

Similarly, economist Bernardo Villegas of the University of Asia & the Pacific (UA&P) mentioned Cebu’s opportunity to prepare in shielding the mango production and mango processed food, so as not to be left behind by other mango producing countries in the Asean region.

Generally, according to Villegas, if  there is one thing the Philippines should take a look into the preparation for Asean integration, it would be in the field of agriculture.

Recently also, other economists expressed the same sentiment urging the Philippines to further improve its agriculture niche.

 According to Villegas, the Philippines should imitate Thailand in its success in developing and exploiting the agriculture sector.

Also, Mendoza said that while Cebu is working hard in improving further its niche in the BPO sector, as well as advancing its wealth in tourism industry, more concrete and effective programs should also be in place in order to position itself very well in the upcoming Asean Economic Community (AEC).

Moreover, Mendoza said Cebu should continue to strengthen its academe sector, as this is one of the pillars that make the high development of BPO in the province.

The presence of the quality universities and colleges in Cebu that produce good and highly skilled pool of manpower should be sustained and quality should constantly improved.

He said the “pockets” of growth in the Philippines is uneven. Much of it is largely concentrated in Manila, Cebu and Davao.

“If there are many Cebus in the country, we will be growing 10 times more,” he said.

Mendoza further assured that Philippines has all the capability to compete with other countries in the Asean, but it has to know its strengths and weaknesses profoundly. /JMD (FREEMAN)