Third District Representative Francisco Benitez challenged the micro, small and medium enterprises and micro financing sector in the District to act and work together in efforts to help stir anew the local economy, especially providing access to sources for capital and income for farmers, fishermen and small entrepreneurs in the community direly affected by the Covid 19 pandemic.

His message calling for unity and action was relayed by Silay City Mayor Mark Golez who hosted the first Financing Forum Roll-out today, July 9, 2020 at the Silay City Civic Center.

The Forum is an integral part of the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Economic Recovery Plan , the initial framework of which was crafted by Provincial Economic Affairs Consultant and former Congressman Alfredo Benitez.

The first run that gathered a total of fifty one (51) participants coming from rural banks, lending institutions, credit cooperatives and local government officials, is jointly organized by the provincial government through the Provincial Economic Development and Investment Center (PEDIC), the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (MBCCI) and the Office of Cong. Benitez.

The Forum tapped the expertise of government financial institutions to bring down financial services to the grassroots level. Resource speakers focused on Covid financial response and rescue program packages – Bernardo Castillon Jr., Senior Manager of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP); Ma. Luisita Chiu, head of the Negros Occ. Lending Center of the Land Bank of the Phils.; and Riah Molavin, Loan Officer for the Small Business Corporation.

Also present in the Forum are MBCCI Chief Executive Officer Frank Carbon and Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca. *