NO REGISTERED participants of the 4th Davao Investment Conference (Icon) of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) had expressed their intention of cancelling participation or backing out from the event despite the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.
DCCCII Trustee and Davao Icon 2017 Chairman Arturo Milan, in a press conference at Habi at Kape, Abreeza Ayala Malls on Wednesday, June 14, said they are expecting big corporations coming from Manila, other countries, and as well as Davao-based companies to participate in the event.
He said San Miguel Corporation, Holcim Philippines, Aboitiz Power Corporation, PLDT Smart, Globe, and 8990 Housing Development are some of the major corporations with confirmed attendance.
For the banking sector, BDO, Landbank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, and Security Bank are among those which are going to participate.
Foreign delegates are also expected to come especially those representatives from the British Chamber of Commerce and the European Chamber of Commerce, with the former already promoting the Davao Icon through their national television interviews.
Members of the diplomatic corps and local government unit officials are also expected to grace the event, as well as President Rodrigo Duterte.
Milan said they have initially targeted to have 700 foreign and local participants but are now expecting to exceed that number. Currently, registration is still ongoing.
He also urged all Dabawenyos, especially those from the City Tourism and the Regional Tourism offices, to bring Davao City’s tourism in the forefront of promotion for the people outside Mindanao to know that Davao is "business as usual."
Although no cancellation had been noted regarding Icon participation, Milan said they are aware of the other events and accommodations in the city that were cancelled a few days after Martial Law was declared in Mindanao following the Marawi siege.
“We should not allow fear to define our lives. If we let fear take over, nothing will really happen to our city. Aside from the more tightened security upon entrance in the city, we are really business as usual,” said Milan.
The 4th Davao Icon will be conducted on July 21 to 22 at the SMX Convention Center with the investment focus on four key areas such as agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and infrastructure.
“We want to balance the investment profile of Davao so we can create a sustainable development. Now, most of the investments are into the service sector. This presupposes that the Dabawenyos have the money to spend. But we need to balance also in terms of income-generation. And income is being generated in agriculture and manufacturing in terms of jobs. That’s why we want a sustainable development to happen in Davao Region,” said Milan.
