By Dominic B. dela
Cruz
Staff reporter
Manila—Laoag City emerged as the most business friendly
component city (level 3) in the recently concluded Search for Most Business
Friendly Cities and Municipalities.
The award was given
during the 42nd Philippine Business Conference and Expo held at the
Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom in Manila on October 12-13, 2016,
This year’s win
elevated Laoag City into the search’s Hall of Fame.
Laoag mayor
Chevylle V. Fariñas and Laoag vice mayor Michael V. Fariñas personally received
the award from President Rodrigo R. Duterte and officers of the Federation of
Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCI).
The city earned the
Hall of Fame distinction for winning in 2012, 2013 and 2016.
Fortune
International Trading also awarded to Laoag City funding for 2-classroom
buildings as national winner and a Hall of Fame awardee.
In an interview,
Ms. Fariñas thanked PCCI for another recognition given to the city and all the
people behind this success.
Laoag City
education superintendent Joel Lopez also expressed his thanks on behalf of the
city’s education department for the two classrooms to be given thru the city
government of Laoag.
Mr. Lopes, who was
also with the Laoag delegation during the awarding ceremony, said the two
classrooms will be for the FE Siazon Memorial Elementary School. He said that
the said school lacks classrooms due to the increase of enrollees.
Also in the Laoag
delegation were other education officials, several city government department
heads, and members of the local media, including The Ilocos Times.
With the theme
“One. Global. Filipino: Giant Steps 2016 and Beyond”, the award is given to
LGUs for their outstanding achievements in creating or enhancing economically
viable and vibrant communities by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (PCCI).
The award seeks to
inspire LGUs to continuously institute good governance reforms promoting trade
and investments, transparency and efficiency in delivering business services
that fortify the competitiveness of enterprises and results in inclusive
economic growth.
The Philippine
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s largest business
organization, has commenced with the search for the most business-friendly
local government unit (LGU) in the country.
To qualify, PCCI
said that nominees should pass the minimum business-friendliness indicators in
the areas of investment promotions, compliance to the Anti-Red Tape Act, and
Fiscal Transparency.
The LGUs must have
established an investment promotion and generation strategy to advance
equitable local economic development; The Anti-Red Tape Act has provided a
framework in which transparency and accountability in government offices
including LGUs could be practiced and instituted; and LGUs must be compliant with
its financial obligations and transparent in its transactions. It is highly
commendable for an LGU to have sound financial policy and adhere financial
spending.
During the awarding
ceremony, PCCI President George T. Barcelon welcomed all the participants and
guests especially the President for the 42nd Philippine Business
Conference and Expo 2016.
With the turn-over
of leadership for the ASEAN Business Advisory Council from Laos to the
Philippines, Mr. Barcelon said, “It is high time to see ASEAN that under
Duterte’s leadership we are in a position and ready to impress the world”.
“Mr. President you
are our CEO and our leader. Tell us what you want us to do and we will follow,”
Mr. Barcelon added.
The induction of
newly elected officers for the Philippines Silk International Chamber of
Commerce was also conducted.
Leading the
awarding ceremony were President Duterte, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez
III, PCCI President George T. Barcelon, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon
Lopez, PBC 2nd Chairman Angelito Colonan, Chairman of the Council of
Business Leaders Jose T. Cardo and chairman PCCI and chairman of last year’s
PBC Ambassador Benedicto V. Yujuico
In promoting the
Anti-Red Tape Act, the search seeks to recognize and promotes models of
governance of municipalities, cities and provinces that have demonstrated
outstanding efforts in instituting good governance and reforms, to promote
trade and investment, ensure accountability, transparency and efficiency and
further competitiveness of the LGUs.
Quezon City mayor
Herbert Bautista and Quezon City vice mayor Joy Belmonte received the award for
Quezon City for Level 1 winner under the highly urbanized city; Mayor Edwin
Santiago and vice mayor Jaime Lasatin for city of San Fernando Level 2 category
under the independent component 1st class to 3rd class city; and mayor Chevylle
V. Fariñas and vice mayor Michael V. Fariñas for Laoag City Level 3 (3rd class
to 6th class city) and a Hall of Fame Award.
The province of
Bulacan won the Level 1 under the 1st class to 2nd class province.
The municipality of
Kalibo, Aklan won the municipality category Level 1 (1st class to 2nd class
municipality) and Concepcion, Iloilo for Level 2 (3rd class to 6th class
municipality).
Most Outstanding
Chamber of Commerce Inc. provincial category was also awarded to Negros
Oriental Chamber of Commerce Inc. in the Visayas Province Based and the Most
Outstanding Chamber of the Philippines; Davao City under the City Category;
Parañaque CCI under the National Capital Region (NCR), Bulacan CCI for North
Luzon; Metro Angeles City CCI for North Luzon; Mandaue City CCI Visayas City
Category; Surigao CCI and Dinagat CCI Mindanao Provincial Chapter; Bislig CCI
Mindanao City Category and the Bacoor CCI as the Most Outstanding Young CCI.
San Nicolas, Ilocos
Norte was the first Hall of Fame awardee for Ilocos Norte. The LGU won the
award last in 2014 along with the Hall of Fame induction.
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