MMSU hosts Region 1 economic forum
By Jeremy Pascual
The Department of Economics of the MMSU College of Business, Economics, and Accountancy (CBEA) hosted the Ilocos Convergence Economic Forum 2026, the first academe-initiated economic event held in the Ilocos Region, on April 8 at SM City Laoag.
The event featured a panel of speakers from regional and international settings to discuss pressing economic issues and strategies for improving local economic development. It welcomed participants from various civil organizations and local government units across the region, as well as students of the MMSU Economics program.
OIC-Dean of CBEA Emil James Tanagon stressed the importance of conducting the forum. “But these realities remind us that economic issues are no longer isolated; they are interconnected and affect everyone. In this context, this forum now becomes indispensable, we need intellectual discussions that are anchored on relevant issues,” he said.
Vice President for Administration and Finance Fides Bernardo Bitanga, who represented MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., urged the participants to take part in helping the economy thrive.
“The word economics comes from the Greek words oikos, meaning home, and nomos, meaning rules, which simply means rules that govern our home. So let’s help manage our home, MMSU, then, our community, our province, our country,” Bitanga said.
“Let us not be indifferent to what is happening around us,” he added.
With the theme “Enhancing Competitiveness and Competition to Promote Economic Development,” the discussions highlighted sustainable development and growth in the region.
Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta - Marcos, the keynote speaker of the event and MMSU BS Economics alumna, stressed the province's support for local businesses and the importance of people for economic growth.
“We are here. We’d like to promote the Ilokano food, the crafts, and the creative industries by supporting entrepreneurship and creating more opportunities. We aim to build a competitive job-driven economy where every Ilocano can thrive.” Marcos said. “Our greatest investment will always be our people,” she added.
Ilocos Sur Provincial Administrator Marlon Tagorda took the stage for the plenary presentation, where he discussed the advancement of the agricultural and tourism sectors in their province. He also shared Ilocos Sur’s accomplishments and awards.
For the panel discussions, Mr. Jestoni Olivo, an economist from the Philippine Competition Commission, elaborated on the topic Revisiting Local Economic Development from a Competition Perspective. Environmental Planner Jade Agapinan discussed the Local Economic Development in Governance.
Senior researcher Mishael Joy Barrera, of Biwako-Kusatsu Campus Research Organization of Social Sciences at Ritsumeikan University in Japan, joined the panel discussion virtually. While the head of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Office at the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, Elma Gabriel, took the stage.
The panelists shared their insights and perspectives on the key issues raised during the session.
“Convergence is where gaps will narrow, and opportunities will become evenly shared. This type of convergence is what we want to see for the Ilocos region as a whole,” Barrera shared.
The Senior Researcher also challenged the audience during the forum by leaving them with questions to reflect on.
Meanwhile, the head of the MSME office highlighted the province’s ongoing efforts to address the issues discussed. “We are also working on the priorities mentioned during the discussion,” Gabriel emphasized. She also mentioned some of the province’s initiatives that contribute to its local economic development.
Following the discussion, the hosts invited participants to share their insights during the open forum. MMSU economics students actively engaged in the discussion.
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