ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal – Tourism in CALABARZON – Region 4A will get a big boost after the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Authority (TIEZA) held a tourism roadshow for the benefit of stakeholders in the region at Griffins Hall, First Pacific Leadership Academy, Antipolo City, Rizal.
An overflow crowd of over a hundred entrepreneurs, government employees and media packed the hall to attend the TIEZA Investment Roadshow Series: “TIEZA Investment Incentives and Opportunities for Tourism Enterprises” to learn about stakeholders’ investment opportunities and tax incentives available through TIEZA, which is the IPA (Investment Promotion Agency) of tourism; how to take advantage of the CREATE Act; as well as business opportunities afforded by TIEZA properties in the region.
The roadshow – held in partnership with the Department of Tourism Region 4A, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Rizal and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Antipolo – was intended for Rizal stakeholders but participants hungry for information that can be used in their businesses came from the other provinces of the region as well.
TIEZA Assistant Chief Operating Officer Atty. Karen Mae G. Sarinas-Baydo enumerated the investment opportunities through TIEZA afforded by the CREATE Act, who are qualified and how to best avail of them.
She also expressed her gratitude to the LGUs and civic organizations for helping TIEZA inform the public about the TIEZA programs.
“We are very grateful for the partnership with our local chambers of commerce PCCI Antipolo and Rizal as well as the provincial government of Rizal, the city government of Antipolo and of course our DOT Regional Office,” said Atty. Sarinas-Baydo.
“Yes, we could actually see that this event was a big success but it was not without any challenges. A lot of people here know that it (roadshow) was twice rescheduled already. This was supposed to be last year. Last quarter. So ito dapat ang last leg ng 2023. But since we understand that marami talagang hinahabol especially the tourism sector.”
The goal was to inform as many people as possible in the CALABARZON region about TIEZA and how it is meant to help the public. She was grateful as well for achieving that objective.
“We wanted talaga to get the full attention of our partners and stakeholders so we are very happy at the turnout. In fact, talagang nag exceed noong expectations natin. We are very excited doon sa na-generate na interest, na curiousity about the TIEZA program,” added Atty. Sarinas-Baydo.
This year the agency has scheduled local roadshows in Naga and Siquijor. They will also participate in the Annual Investments Meeting in Abu Dhabi to attract investors from the middle-eastern market.
TIEZA wishes to add to their list of foreign investment partners – Korea, Taiwan and Japan – the middle eastern countries expressing interest in investing in the local market.
Other keynote speakers included TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid who welcomed the participants in a video recorded message; Rizal Provincial Office Tourism Officer Dr. Corazon S. Laserna who delivered the message of support from Rizal Province Governor Nina Ynares; DOT Region 4A Senior Tourism Operations Officer Jennifer O. Factora who narrated the tourism investment situation in Region 4A; TIEZA Evaluation and Registration Division Manager Donald R. Maldonado who explained how to register as a business enterprise and avail of grant incentives under the CREATE Act; and Business Research Division Manager Zenaida R. Quinahan who enumerated the investment opportunities in TIEZA assets and properties.
Options to finance tourism related businesses were discussed in the afternoon sessions. Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) Program Officer Ida Monica Salvatierra discussed the growth and development of the DBP as well as its role in Philippine tourism. Small Business Corporation (SBCorp) Accounts Management Analyst II Francis Daniel Rebollado discussed loan programs available to MSMEs.