City finalist in 2012 Most Business-Friendly LGU

BACOLOD City was named as among the national finalist in the search for the 2012 Most Business Friendly Local Government Unit (LGU) for the city level 1 category from among the 140 cities in the country

Lawyer Miguel B. Varela of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCCI) informed Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia in a letter dated September 21, 2012.

The final judging will be held on Sept. 27, 2012 in Manila.

This is in line with the holding of the 38th Philippine Business Conference and Expo anchored on the theme “One Global Filipino. Investments and Governance: Pillars of Economic Growth” to be held on October 10-12, 2012 at Manila Hotel.

Leonardia said in 2006, Bacolod was voted the Most Business Friendly in the Visayas. In 2007, Bacolod was voted again as Most Business Friendly City in the Visayas. In the same year, Bacolod was voted as the Most Business Friendly City in the Philippines. In 2011, Bacolod was a finalist in the contest. This year Bacolod is again a finalist. 

"This is a testimony that we are consistent with the awards we got for the Most Business Friendly city competition. Being chosen as among the finalists is already a feat. Whatever happens to the screening or judging process, Bacolod City is already a winner. I hope this will even enhance the image of Bacolod as an investment destination, in spite of what our detractors have said that the investors were turned off because of the revised Revenue Code. On the other hand, last year, during the deliberation of the judging of the Most Business Friendly City, Dr. Roger Balo who represented us was told by the panel where some of them have seen Bacolod recently and said that compared to what Bacolod was some years ago, Bacolod has improved tremendously. They can see for themselves that there is dynamism in economy of Bacolod," he said.

However, they also pointed out to Dr. Balo that what was lacking was Bacolod had not updated its Revenue Code. This time when we go back to face the panel of judges, we can already tell them that we have revised the Revenue Code. This is something for Bacolod to celebrate. This will definitely put Bacolod on the investment map in the Philippines. One thing that we can be very proud of is that we are consistent and being a finalist for so many years and among 140 cities in the country is something that we can be very proud about, he said.

"I would like to thank the business community and all the different sectors in Bacolod because there can only be a friendly and healthy business environment when everybody is cooperating. The credit should go to the people of Bacolod for this honor," he said.