PCCI confident WV will soon economically recover despite the Ukraine-Russia War

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) is confident that the Western Visayas will soon recover economically now that it has been opened to international tourism.

PCCI national president George Barcelon said this Thursday afternoon during the first regional forum and induction ceremonies through zoom. The theme of the event is “We Recover Together.”

“We in the PCCI are worried over the possible impact to the Philippines over the Russia-Ukraine invasion. The war may affect our ports and the shipping industries. We will be having a meeting soon with the shipping leaders in the country to discuss the possible impact,” he said.

But while the Russia-Ukraine war is ongoing, international tourists have started to come in the region, especially in Boracay. Island. “Since 2020, the Western Visayas region like all the rest of the country has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In December 2021, typhoon Odette also made the matter worse as it devastated some parts of the region,” Barcelona said. According to the reports of the Department of Agriculture, some P6 billion worth of agricultural crops were registered in the provinces of Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Antique and parts of Iloilo.

Thousands of farmers and fisher folk were affected.

Cristine Maninares, the DoT regional director for Western Visayas said they are targeting two million tourists for the entire Western Visayas this year.

Meanwhile, PCCI Regional Governor for Western Visayas Atty. Jobert Penaflorida said that they had provided special recognition for PCCI regional members who have greatly contributed to the affairs of the said business organization.

Penaflorida said those who received the recognitions were Ramel Buncalan, immediate past president of PCCI-Aklan; Elena Brugger, immediate past president of PCCI-Boracay and Ronald So, immediate past governor of PCCI-Western Visayas.

\”Dale Bernas, president of the PCCI-Halaran Capiz also received the special recognition for his role as host of the 2021 Visayan Business Conference while a special citation has been given to the PCCI-Iloilo as PCCI Most Outstanding Chamber,” Penaflorida said.