ILOILO CITY -- Western Visayas is entering a stronger economic moment. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the region’s economy accelerated from 4.4 percent in 2024 to 6.4 percent in 2025, making Western Visayas the fastest-growing regional economy among the country’s 18 regions.
For Iloilo, this growth is both an opportunity and a responsibility. Local enterprises must be ready to move beyond survival, informal diskarte, and short-term selling toward stronger systems, better records, responsible compliance, and disciplined growth.
This was the focus of Business Talks 2026: Navigating the Business Life Cycle, organized by the Iloilo Business Club, Inc., in partnership with Cornelius Magnate Engagement & Consulting and the Iloilo City Government, on May 8, 2026, at Ker & Company Ltd. Building, Iloilo City.
Representing Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas, Velma Jane Lao, Head of the Iloilo City Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office, delivered the city government’s message of support, emphasizing the importance of a responsive local business environment.
The event’s main discussant, host, and moderator was Ken Lerona, Principal Consultant, Founder & President of Cornelius Magnate Engagement & Consulting. He opened the session by framing business as a life cycle: idea, registration, permits, financing, taxation, bookkeeping, governance, expansion, and stewardship. His central message was simple: growth must stand on discipline.
Keynote speaker Jose Gerardo J. Guadarrama, Managing Director of Original Biscocho Haus, shared lessons from reviving and expanding one of Iloilo’s most recognized homegrown brands. Drawing from his background in engineering, finance, and family business management, he emphasized resilience, professional management, financial discipline, and respect for brand heritage.
The technical sessions mapped the practical foundations of enterprise maturity.
Nelida C. Amolar, Regional Director of the Philippine Statistics Authority – RSSO VI, discussed data as the foundation of business decisions, reminding entrepreneurs that instinct must be supported by reliable numbers.
Norman F. Tabud, Head of the Iloilo City Business Permit and Licensing Office, discussed permits and city requirements as part of legitimate and responsible business operations.
Charlene Joy A. Adeja of the Department of Trade and Industry VI explained DTI registrations and support programs, showing how formalization opens access to advisory services, training, and enterprise development support.
Julie Jean S. Tidon, Chief Accounts Management Specialist of Small Business Corporation, discussed financing in challenging times, stressing that access to capital must be matched with readiness, repayment discipline, and a clear business purpose.
Daren Mica Mee C. Alunan, Revenue Officer I of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, clarified taxation responsibilities and encouraged entrepreneurs to understand their obligations early.
Marie Rose Jasmine A. Chan, Manager of Chan Accounting, Management & Development Group, emphasized governance, bookkeeping, and financial survival, reminding participants that what is not recorded cannot be properly managed.
The afternoon also featured the Regulatory Compliance Xchange, moderated by Lerona, with panelists Therese Grace J. Marla of DTI VI, Shyane G. Amaller of the Bankers Association of Iloilo, Venus P. Togoto of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and Dr. Benelyn P. Batiduan of ARBA Hauling and Foods.
The panel tackled the realities of Iloilo small and medium businesses: early compliance habits, the shift from diskarte to formal enterprise, credit readiness, paperwork discipline, tax responsibilities, and what it takes for a business to survive beyond one season, one owner, or one generation.
Their shared insight was clear: Ilonggo entrepreneurs already have grit. What strengthens that grit is structure: records, systems, honest governance, and disciplined financial behavior.
The discussion carried the tone of the event itself: grounded in Iloilo realities while open to wider standards of competitiveness. It treated business growth as something that must be both globally informed and deeply rooted in local conditions.
Their shared insight was clear: Ilonggo entrepreneurs already have grit. What strengthens that grit is structure: records, systems, honest governance, and disciplined financial behavior.
The discussion carried the tone of the event itself: grounded in Iloilo realities while open to wider standards of competitiveness. It treated business growth as something that must be both globally informed and deeply rooted in local conditions.
In her closing message, Iloilo Business Club President Ma. Luisa Segovia thanked the speakers, panelists, partners, and participants, and invited the business sector to the next leg of the series set in October 2026.
For Ilonggo entrepreneurs, the message of the afternoon was clear: a business grows stronger when courage is matched by compliance, and ambition is matched by structure.
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