Senatorial candidate Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Piñol has proposed the creation of a Local Industries Development Authority (LIDA) to support his plans for the development of the marble industry in Romblon, as well as the micro, small and medium-sized business enterprises nationwide.
Piñol said he is prepared to include it in his legislative agenda if and when he is elected as senator under the presidency of Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, an independent presidential candidate.
‘’The marble in Romblon is really good. The quality is top-notch. It can outclass products from other countries. It is comparable, I think, to Italian marble. But without government support, it won’t flourish,’’ Lacson noted.
Under Piñol's proposal, LIDA will serve as the official government agency in charge of developing and promoting the products of local industries in different provinces.
“Dapat bigyan ng capital ‘yung nag-i-invest diyan sa industriya na ‘yan, sapagkat makakapagbigay po ‘yan ng trabaho sa mga lokal na tao [We should provide capital infusion to those who are investing in different industries because it will create jobs for our local residents. .Pangalawa, dapat tumulong ang gobyerno sa marketing ng ating produkto (Secondly, the government must help in marketing their products),’’ said Piñol, former agriculture secretary and Cotabato governor.
“If you elect this team in the next election because we know what to do. We already have a plan of what to do for this country. So, for the marble industry of Romblon, I am proposing that it be included in the Local Industries Development Authority,” Piñol told Romblon residents.
For his part, Lacson has assured the local government and residents of Romblon that its lucrative marble industry would enjoy a steady growth under his watch as he is determined to lead a nation free from corruption.
Aside from his Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment (BRAVE) program, which will serve as the cornerstone of his government, Lacson said his thrust towards research and development will only help improve established industries across the regions.
Romblon is famous for its rich marble mineral deposits that enabled its communities to create various kinds of export quality products out of it, thus earning the nickname ‘Marble Capital of the Philippines.’
“Kung madadagdagan ang research and development pwedeng mag-partake ‘yung Romblon para ma-enhance ‘yung marble industry (If we are going to increase funding for our research and development, Romblon can take part in it to enhance its marble industry),’’ Lacson told a town hall meeting held last Monday (April 4) at the Romblon Public Theater.
“Gumamit ng mga makabagong kagamitan o mag-imbento ng mga bagong kagamitan para makagawa ng marble na ang puhunan, ‘yung operational expenses pati ‘yung gamit, mababa (They can use new materials or invent new equipment to create more products made of marble in which the capital or operational expenses, including the other tools, are inexpensive),’’ the presidential candidate added.
According to a Romblon resident with ties to some industry stakeholders, sales of urns made of marble increased during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic since many of its casualties were recommended to be laid to rest through the cremation process.
The demand was so high at the time that some factory owners invested in new machines to keep up with it. Now that COVID-19 related deaths have been steadily declining, they are now thinking of other products to develop.
“‘Yung marble industry pasok na pasok sa livelihood. So, kung masusuportahan ng local government unit sa pamamagitan ng downloaded resources galing sa national budget na tulad ng sinabi ko kanina, palagay ko aangat ‘yung marble industry (The marble industry fits perfectly into livelihood. So, if the local government unit can keep supporting it through downloaded resources from the national budget that I mentioned earlier, I believe the marble industry will keep thriving),’’ Lacson said, referring to his BRAVE agenda.
Lacson and Piñol campaigned in the municipalities of Odiongan and Romblon, Romblon last Monday together with vice presidential candidate and Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III, who also touted their BRAVE program as the ‘silver bullet’ that would address the different concerns of citizens.