(Davao City, 24 May 2018). NEDA XI Regional Director Maria Lourdes D. Lim delivered a message on behalf of NEDA Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia during the opening ceremony of the 4th Philippine Building and Construction Exposition (PHILBEX) Davao on May 10, 2018.
PHILBEX Davao is the regional edition of the Philippine World Building and Construction Exposition (WORLDBEX), and caters to the construction needs of the Mindanao market. It is considered as the largest and the most comprehensive building and construction trade show in Mindanao.
The 4th PHILBEX Davao was simultaneously held with the 2nd Travel and Leisure Exposition (TLEX) Davao on May 10-13, 2018 at the SMX Convention Center, Davao City. The opening ceremony was attended by Davao City Government officials headed by Vice Mayor Bernard E. Al-ag, NEDA XI Regional Director Maria Lourdes D. Lim, Department of Tourism (DOT) XI Regional Director Antonio Blanco, local tourism officers in Davao Region, Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID) officers, among others.
In his welcome address, Mr. Joseph L. Ang, Worldbex Services International (WSI) Founding Chairman, highlighted the robust potential of the construction, design and tourism industries in Davao Region. The previous editions of PHILBEX Davao and TLEX Davao were very successful, demonstrating that the region is a dynamic and world-class economic hub.
NEDA XI Regional Director Maria Lourdes D. Lim expressed government support to the 4th PHILBEX Davao on behalf of Secretary Pernia. RD Lim highlighted the role of Metropolitan Davao as among the country’s metropolitan centers identified in the National Spatial Strategy, serving as a major international gateway and Mindanao’s commercial hub; center for education, health and services; and tourist attraction. She shared that Davao Region achieved the second highest GRDP growth rate throughout the country in 2017 at 10.9 percent, propelled by the Industry and Services sectors, with the construction subsector registering the fastest growth rate at 38.2 percent.
Davao City Vice-Mayor Bernard M. Al-ag cited the booming construction industry of Davao City, as well as the increasing number of tourists visiting the city. He congratulated WSI for the launch of the 4th PHILBEX Davao and 2nd TLEX Davao and thanked them for choosing Davao City as the venue. (Grace L. Magalona, NEDA XI – PMED)