Mindanao traders pin hopes on Arroyo government

DAVAO CITY — Mindanao businessmen are pinning their hopes on the administration of newly installed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the recovery of the island’s economy.

"At least, we are now moving. We are seeing here a hope for the island’s economy. There is now a new hope and a new beginning for Mindanao," said Joji Ilagan-Bian, chairman of the Mindanao Business Council.

With Mrs. Arroyo at the helm, Bian said the government now has the correct economic fundamentals that hopefully, would pave the way for the economic recovery not only of Mindanao but of the entire country.
Bian said Arroyo should immediately address the peace problem in Mindanao and the rehabilitation of areas devastated by hostilities between government and Moro separatist forces last year.

"We believe that the President has a clear agenda for Mindanao and we are really banking on it," she said.

Mindanao’s economy, she said, suffered tremendously because of negative perceptions that the island was an unsafe place to make investments due to the Moro insurgency and ransom kidnappings by the extremist Abu Sayyaf.

"Mindanao has been suffering from an image problem which has also grossly affected its tourism industry. We had negative tourism receipts last year, and we hope to recover soon, especially with the assumption of the new president," said Art Bocanto, president of the Davao Tourism Association.

Department of Trade and Industry figures showed that investments in Mindanao dropped by as much as 40 percent last year.

The political crisis that rocked the Estrada administration further worsened the island’s economy.

Bian hopes that the stalled peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will resume soon to foster stability that will fuel economic activities throughout Mindanao.

"It is now time to get back to work and support the new presidency in her call for a healing process. But part of that healing process are our brothers in the MILF and the other rebel groups," Davao City Mayor Benjamin de Guzman said.

Alvin Luque, Mindanao secretary-general of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, also expressed hopes that Mrs. Arroyo will be able to address the issues besetting the nation.