THE City of San Fernando was once again listed as among the most business-friendly cities in the Philippines for this year by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).

The city, through Business License and Permit Division chief Joseph Garcia, received a Special Citation Plaque from PCCI on Wednesday, October 16, at The Manila Hotel during the 45th Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBC&E).

According to the award-giving body, San Fernando was recognized for exerting efforts in delivering quality services to the business community.

“The PCCI presents the Special Citation in recognition of its commendable efforts for the efficient streamlining of business processes to offer its constituents quality management and innovation, significantly benefiting its business community,” said the PCCI.

One of the major accomplishments of the city in the business industry was its introduction of “Permit 2 Go” project where business/mayor’s permits can be delivered through courier service.

The city government has also trimmed the procedure of renewing business permits down to a mere two-step process.

Garcia previously said that the city “came up with this innovation to provide greater convenience to the transacting public.”

“With this,” he added, “the clients can save time, minimize transport expenses or avoid problems in looking for parking space by not going to the City Hall anymore.”

This manifested to the city’s strict compliance with the Ease of Doing Business Act (EODB) where business-making in the city has become hassle-free through the said innovative process.

“CSFP’s “Permit 2 Go” is an answer of San Fernando, under the strong leadership of Mayor Edwin Santiago, to the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to provide ease of doing business and improve the delivery of government services,” he added.

For his part, Santiago expressed gratitude for the PCCI for once again recognizing the city for its business efforts.

“Malaki ang pasasalamat natin sa PCCI para sa isa na namang rekognisyon na kanilang ibinigay sa atin. Itong most business-friendly city award na ito ay hindi na bago sa atin. Sa katunayan, ngayon lang tayo ulit bumalik pagkatapos nating maging Hall of Fame awardee sa mga nakalipas na taon kaya nagagalak na tayo na patuloy pa rin ang pagkilala nila sa ating syudad,” the city mayor said.

(We give our huge thanks to PCCI for another recognition that they have awarded to us. This award is not new to us. In fact, we were just the Hall of Fame awardee in recent years. So we are proud that they still recognize our city.)

He also expressed that the award is shared with the members of the business community for their support to the city’s drive in attaining development. (PR)