Mandaue an emerging economic tiger in the South

Home already to almost 10,000 business establishments, Mandaue City lives up to this day to its reputation of being a Merchant's Paradise since it was first sighted by Magellan in April 7, 1521. What makes this city the best choice is its fast and stable economic growth that would keep any investor confident plus the city government's steadfast support to both local and foreign investors.

Proof of the city's economic might over other cities in the province is its capability of churning out a production output that resulted to a gross sales of P63 billion last year from P56 billion in the year 2003. It is a glaring 12 percent increase surpassing even that of the country's six percent GDP increase in 2004.

This double-digit growth is partly due to Mayor Thadeo Ouano's policy of streamlined operations in the civil applications systems and procedures. From 13 steps and five days to process business permits, Mandaue has the capability to do it in 10 minutes.

In applying for the building and occupancy permits, one could have it in just a day's time compared to the two weeks processing time before.

The other factor that has contributed to the double digit growth is the implementation of the local investment code, which provides incentives in the form of tax discounts ranging from 25-50 percent and from three to seven years depending on investment exposures.

At present, it is also considered as the furniture capital of the country with 75 percent of the total export in the furniture sector coming from the city.

The city's attractive business climate can also be attributed to its having the second lowest crime rate in Central Visayas next to Siquijor. Its crime rate is only seven percent compared to Cebu City which has the highest crime rate of 54 percent. Mandaue City among all the areas in Region 7 has no barangay that is under heavy affectation of drugs. This can be attributed to the mayor's policy of zero tolerance on drugs

These make Mandaue a preferred investment destination in the south and an emerging economic tiger. But these accomplishments are but just a few of the program of actions intended by Mayor Ouano, while serving his third term. He wanted the Mandauehanons to be proud of the city's consistent drive to nurture the spirit of entrepreneurship for the past 484 years since its foundation.

In keeping up with Mandaue City's feasibility as the best economic hub, the Ouano administration keeps a good credit worthiness standing to encourage more investors. The LGU Guarantee Corporation, majority-owned by the Bankers Association of the Philippines, that provides a gauge for the credit worthiness of a local government unit (LGU) has categorized Mandaue City under Credit Group A. This means that Mandaue has low political, development and endowment risks compared to that of Cebu City, which has been categorized under Credit Group C.

Indeed, Mayor Ouano keeps up with his nine-point agenda that include planned units of development, urban renewal, a better investment climate, environmental management, access to free education, resource generation and mobilization, enhancement of investments climate, cooperatives development, security, and the promotion of quality family life.

Under the planned units of development, Mayor Ouano has set his sights into finishing some infrastructures at various strategic areas in the city to bring about the emergence of economic districts or clusters. Among these are New City Public Market, equipped with modern equipment and amenities that will accommodate some 1,200 stalls, groceries, restaurants, hardware shop, pharmacy and a spacious parking area and the construction of the Cebu International Trade and Exhibit Center, which is expected to stimulate the economic activities in the city and the province as well as other areas in Visayas and Mindanao.

For the urban renewal program, Mayor Ouano had implemented numerous projects already such as the urban housing program providing a more secured tenure for the city's informal settlers. He said that with a secured tenure, urban poor families could now focus in developing capacities to augment their income through livelihood undertakings.

This further includes the improvement and expansion of the Mandaue City Hospital to enable it to provide more major services to the local residents.

Not only is the City doing well in its medical services but as well as in its nutrition services with its low malnutrition rate. Just last July, the city has been awarded as a Hall of Famer of the Regional Green Banner Award from the Regional Nutrition Committee, making it eligible to compete for the National Nutrition Award.

In line with ensuring a good health program for the Mandauehanons, Mayor Ouano has also ensured the implementation of a more effective ecological solid waste management program. An information and education campaign on segregating wastes has been started as well as the procurement of a P31-million land compactor intended to extend the lifespan of the Barangay Umapad dumpsite.

Finally, Mayor Ouano has never belittled the importance of education by not only making it accessible to the students but as well as making the schools more conducive to learning. He also looks forward to establishing a Mandaue City College to ensure that high school graduates have a better chance to work after getting a free tertiary education.

Literacy rate in Mandaue City is near perfect at 99 percent.

For Mayor Ouano, he believes that the Mandauehanons deserves the best that he will never stop until he accomplishes his nine point agenda before he ends his term. It is what he could offer as a legacy to the very people, who have helped him made Mandaue as the ultimate choice for a business investment in the south.