THE City of Cagayan de Oro has qualified as a national finalist in the search for the most business-friendly local government unit (LGU) for 2018.
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) spearheads the annual search for the Most Business-Friendly LGU Award to commend local government units that have become successful in creating an environment that is conducive to business.
The initiative is aimed at complementing the efforts of the government to institutionalize standards in delivering quality services to the people as mandated by the Republic Act 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.
According to Eileen San Juan, Local Economic and Investment Promotions officer, being recognized as one of the finalists for the most business-friendly LGU in the country will give Cagayan de Oro City the opportunity to further boost its business-sector and help attract investors.
“In this search, we are made to identify the ease of doing business, it is also a way of promoting how the City Government of Cagayan de Oro efforts in streamlining our business permitting procedures,” San Juan, who represented City Mayor Oscar Moreno in receiving the special recognition given by the PCCI last Tuesday, October 9, said.
“Actually, Cagayan de Oro was awarded last year during the eGov awards on its digital finance system because of what we have there ang ating (is our) standard of giving permits even surpasses the standards that is being set by the Ease of Doing Business Law,” she added.
San Juan is also optimistic that the city will have a good chance of being awarded as the Most Business-Friendly LGU, especially since San Juan was the fifth most competitive city in the country.
Although, she added that the city being a finalist is already an honor as Cagayan de Oro City was one of the more than 10 highly urbanized cities from all over the country picked to compete for the award.
“I would say that being a finalist is already a recognition kasi sa dami namang cities na nag apply, we are one of those chosen to be finalist,” San Juan said.
This year's awarding ceremony will be held on October 18 to 19 during the 44th Philippine Business Conference & Expo, with the theme: “Infrastructure & Digital Economy: The Game Changer.”