DAVAO ICON 2017. Arturo Milan, Chairman of the Davao Investment Conference (ICON) 2017 says that the conference will push through in July 21-22, at the SMX Convention Center here in the city despite the “prevailing negative perception” about the declaration of Martial law in Mindanao. Milan announced the conference’s ‘Go’ signal in a press conference on Wednesday, June 14, at the Habi at Kape, Abreeza Mall Davao.(Robby Joy D. Salveron/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Davao Investment Conference (ICON) will push through in July despite the proclamation of Martial law in Mindanao.
“We’re pretty much excited amidst the cloud of uncertainty that’s prevailing. We’re very much excited to have the Davao ICON on July 21 and 22,” Davao ICON 2017 Chairman, Arturo Milan said in a press conference on Wednesday, June 14.
Milan, also a member of the board of trustees of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCII), said that they are still getting good response from different companies in Manila and abroad even in the midst the implementation of Martial law in Mindanao.
Milan said that he received a lot of inquiries about the event asking if it will push through as scheduled because of the negative effect of Martial Law.
“I received a lot of inquiries about ‘Madayon ba daw?’ (Will it push through?) because there seems to be a very negative perception prevailing because of the declaration of Martial law,” Milan said.
Milan added that they’re on a “Go” signal because nothing has changed in Davao except the heightened security in the city.
“We have to accept the reality that negative perception is prevailing as well as the presence also of the travel advisories, we cannot discount that. We strongly believe that this is just temporary. Over time, we can outlive this fear on the negative perception,” Milan said.
All six cities in Davao region and the five provinces will be attending the conference while big corporations such as San Miguel Corporation, LafargeHolcim, Aboitiz Power Corporation, 8990 Housing Development Corporation and PLDT-Smart also confirmed to participate in the event.
Banking sector in the country including BDO, Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, Metrobank, and Security Bank have also committed to join the conference.
Milan said international participants like the British Chamber of Commerce also confirmed joining the event as well as the European Chamber of Commerce signified their intention to join. (davaotoday.com)
