Berbon of N. Samar elected as president
TACLOBAN CITY– In a milestone move for local economic governance, the Philippine Association of Local Investment Officers (PALIO) was officially launched on May 20.
The oath-taking ceremony of PALIO’s founding officers was held at the central office of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), marking the realization of a long-envisioned goal among local government investment promotion officers in the country.
The event was officiated by DILG– Bureau of Local Government Development (DILG-BLGD) Director Anna Liza Bonagua, with representatives from the Board of Investments (BOI), both of whom now serve as the association’s technical advisers.
John Allen Berbon, who was elected as the founding president, emphasized the significance of the moment in his inaugural statement.
“Today, May 20, 2025, marks a pivotal moment as I officially assumed the role of founding president of the Philippine Association of Local Investment Officers (PALIO). I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my fellow Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotions Officers (PEDIPOs) for placing their trust and confidence in me,” he said.
Berbon also acknowledged the critical support of the BOI and the DILG-BLGD, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in navigating the road ahead.
“While the road ahead holds many challenges, I am confident that together, we can achieve great things. Let us move forward with determination and collaboration,” he added.
PALIO aims to institutionalize a nationwide network of Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Officers (LEDIPOs) in line with key national policies, including the Ease of Doing Business Act (RA 11032), Executive Order No. 12 on Green Lanes for Strategic Investments, and decentralization directives under EO 138 and the Mandanas-Garcia ruling.
The association’s purpose is multifold which includes to strengthen peer collaboration and technical capacity among LEDIPOs; facilitate partnerships with national agencies, development partners, and the private sector; promote policies and reforms that enhance local investment climates; and advance professional development of LEDIPOs through accreditation, certification, and continuing education.
As a unifying platform, PALIO is envisioned to play a key role in promoting inclusive, resilient, and balanced regional development across the country. It underscores a growing commitment to transform local government units into proactive, investor-ready communities—vital to national economic competitiveness.
With its formal launch, PALIO signals a new chapter for local investment officers who, through strategic collaboration and shared vision, aim to drive transformative growth at the grassroots level.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
