Senator Manuel Roxas met yesterday with representatives of the business sector in Bacolod City for a dialog and to express his views on the emerging industries in Negros Occidental.

Former Negros Occidental Gov. Daniel Lacson Jr., who was with the group of businessmen who met with Roxas, said the senator listened to the issues affecting the business process outsourcing, aquaculture, and organic agriculture sectors.

Lacson said the senator was impressed with the emerging industries in the province and he encouraged them to present their concerns, which can be part of a legislative agenda that he can present in the Senate.

During the meeting, Bacolod Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue represented the BPO sector, Bob Gatuslao represented the aquaculture business, and Pam Henares, the organic agriculture, Lacson said.

Roxas was in Bacolod City yesterday to speak at the graduation rites of West Negros University.

In his message to the graduates, the senator commended them for making it to the educated elite cluster of the country and challenged them to make the most out of their education to determine their future and that of the country.

Roxas also lauded WNU for rising from its humble beginnings into becoming one of the prestigious and credible institutions of higher education in the country.

He said the success of the university is largely due to the three disciplines its administrators have adopted – acting by design and not by default, making truth as basis in moving forward, and considering the long-term of its plans instead of being myopic.

Unlike the government which most often, adopts the “come what may” attitude and prefers the “photo-ops” instead of dealing with the real situation of the country, Roxas said WNU has been successful because it integrates the three disciplines in its campus administration.

“I always say that the destinies of nations are not preordained. Our institutions can be rebuilt. All it takes is a strong leadership that refused to compromise in satisfying vested interests, even those of family, friends and allies,” Roxas said.

He also urged the future workers and entrepreneurs to keep believing in themselves, their future and in the country, saying that the national situation will not always be that way it is at the moment.*NAB

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