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Laoag City is nat’l most business friendly city



BIZ-FRIENDLY. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte hands over two trophies for Laoag to mayor Chevylle V. Farinas and vice mayor Michael V. Farinas for winning the Most Business Friendly City under the component city category (3rd to 6th class) national level and for being a Hall of Fame Awardee for CY 2012, 2013 and 2016. The city also received a plaque of recognition from Fortune International Trading and a pledge for two classroom buildings. Assisting the President are officials of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce Inc. (PCCI). (Doms dela Cruz)

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.

BIZ-FRIENDLY. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte hands over two trophies for Laoag to mayor Chevylle V. Farinas and vice mayor Michael V. Farinas for winning the Most Business Friendly City under the component city category (3rd to 6th class) national level and for being a Hall of Fame Awardee for CY 2012, 2013 and 2016. The city also received a plaque of recognition from Fortune International Trading and a pledge for two classroom buildings. Assisting the President are officials of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce Inc. (PCCI). (Doms dela Cruz)
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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