Key leaders from the business, academic and government sectors will share ideas and prospects on how to position the city and province of Iloilo as the future investment hub in Asia.

ILEDF president and Ilonggo business executive Rex Drilon said they want to present Iloilo as the future business core in the Philippines.

“At the end of the forum, we want to show to investors here and abroad that Iloilo is ready for the world. While we have problems such as power, water and flooding, we are now putting the pieces together to attract investors,” Drilon said.

The ILEDF is a consortium of the city and province of Iloilo, the Metro Iloilo Guimaras Economic Development Council, Department of Trade and Industry-Iloilo, Iloilo Business Club, Iloilo Investment Promotions Center (IIPC) and business groups and non-governmental organizations.

Drilon said ILEDF is patterned after the tri-sectoral Cebu Investment and Promotions Center (CIPC) of Cebu City and province.

“With ILEDF, we hope to pool the acts of the private and public sectors to solve our problems and propel Iloilo’s growth. We want to rouse Ilonggos from their lack of sense of urgency and change mind-sets to solve our problems,” he added.


Lopez Group of Companies chair Oscar Lopez will deliver the keynote address themed “Iloilo: The best is yet to be.”

Prof. Winston Conrad B. Padojinog of the University of Asia and the Pacific will speak on “Iloilo: Gearing up for a comeback” with emphasis on the lessons and experiences useful for Iloilo’s economic takeoff.

“Padojinog’s economic briefing will cover not only an analysis of what went economically wrong for Iloilo but also what the growth prospects are of key and sunrise Ilonggo industries in the near future,” Drilon said.

Elmer San Pascual, group manager of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, will give tips on how Iloilo can enhance its economic climate for foreign and domestic investments by providing special economic zones for business locators.

Other topics to be discussed in the forum are the Iloilo-Guimaras Infrastructure Master Plan by urban planning expert Nathaniel Von Einsiedel; Iloilo-Guimaras Tourism Master Plan by former tourism secretary Narzalina Z. Lim; Iloilo City Roadmap by Canadian Urban Institute regional head Francis E. Gentoral; Iloilo Province Strategic Plan by planning and development head Mario N. Nillos; Agribusiness Roadmap by Dr. Rolando T. Dy of the University of Asia and the Pacific; and Iloilo’s readiness for the business processes outsourcing industry by UP-Visayas Chancellor Glenn Aguilar.

“By presenting a menu for possible investment opportunities, be it call centers or agribusiness, we can convince business locators to come here in Iloilo,” Drilon said.

At the end of the forum, a group of existing and potential investors led by Megaworld and Global Business Power Corp. will share their views on why they decided to invest in Iloilo and what else are needed to make Iloilo a hospitable place for business and investments.

Other panelists will come from the energy, sugar, ICT, real estate and other agriculture and service-oriented sectors.

ILEDF also wants Ilonggo industrialists and businessmen to return and invest in their home province 

“We want to invite Ilonggos to invest in Iloilo. How can we sell our home place to the Japanese, Koreans and other nationalities if we can’t even convince our fellow Ilonggos to put up business here?” Drilon said.

After the Forum, the participants and other invited Ilonggos will proceed to Nelly Garden for a fellowship and launch the book Iloilo: A Rich and Noble Land.