Government officials ink pact on South’s development

Mindanao and Palawan-based government officials agreed yesterday to streamline and harmonize their policies and procedures to hasten the development of Southern Philippines as a major trade and investment area.

The agreement was forged at the end of the first-ever immigration, customs, quarantine and security workshop held at the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City.

Immigration Commissioner Rufus Rodriguez, who chaired the two-day meeting, said a memorandum of agreement was signed establishing an inter-agency committee that will address not only security in Mindanao and Palawan but also promote the region as an alternative trade and investment destination.

Rodriguez said the committee will identify existing procedures, rules and regulations that need to be simplified or streamlined to assure the freer and faster movement of people, goods and services across the region.

The conferees also cited the need to keep their rules and regulations at par with global standards designed to liberalize trade and investment policies.

They, likewise, vowed to continue consulting with the private sector in determining which of their policies should be reviewed or amended to address the concerns of businessmen and investors.

Rodriguez disclosed that the workshop is in preparation for the first Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines — East Asian Growth Area conference to be held in Zamboanga in March next year.

The Philippines, according to Rodriguez, will propose during the said conference the harmonization and streamlining of policies and procedures in the four Asian countries in order to facilitate the development of East Asia as major trade and investment area. — Rey Arquiza