Siquijor-Negros Business Week 2025 Ongoing in Bacolod

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Local governments, businesses, micro, small and medium enterprises, and various industries remain on exhibit at the Siquijor and Negros Island Business Week 2025 at the Atrium, SM City Bacolod North Wing.

The event, which began July 2, runs until Tuesday, July 8.

This year’s theme is “The Vibrance of Businesses in Siquijor and NIR.”

The event is spearheaded by the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led by its president, Juliana Carbon, along with the Negros Occidental provincial government and the Bacolod City government, in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Siquijor Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson was represented by Charina Magallanes-Tan, executive assistant to the governor and provincial information officer.

Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez was represented by Dr. Frances Mae Llamas, head of the Department of Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions.

In his message, Lacson said Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental have long been separated by classification, not geography.

He said this regional division often resulted in missed opportunities for synergy and cooperation.

Lacson added that both provinces share more similarities than differences, including a common history, shared aspirations, and a collective duty to move forward together.

He said the collaborative event fosters promising prospects, including coordinated internal security, improved environmental stewardship, streamlined disaster response, expanded tourism, better access to regional services, and stronger governance.

“This creates fertile ground for economic transformation,” Lacson said.

Magallanes-Tan delivered Lacson’s message during the opening of the business week event.