To national PCCI awards: Biz-friendly Cebu LGUs nominated

CEBU, Philippines - The cities of Cebu and Lapu-Lapu led the list of local government units in Cebu that have been nominated to this year’s Most Business-Friendly Local Government Units of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).

Aside from the two cities, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) also nominated the Cebu province and the towns of Consolacion, Liloan and Cordova to the prestigious award.

The province was nominated for the provincial category, while the three towns for the municipal level.

Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City were nominated under the highly urbanized city category.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he hopes that under his administration, the city will be adjudged the most business-friendly in the country.Rama said he is always telling the City Hall personnel to serve the public with smile.

But he said the nomination is no longer new to him because the city has been getting much attention economically with many tourists pouring into the city.

For her part, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza said she was happy for the nomination, stressing that business leaders have been seeing what she has done in the city.

Although new to the position, Radaza has initiated efforts to win confidence of businessmen, particularly in the tourism sector.She said her administration has been practicing transparency in dealing with the business sector.

The Asian Institute of Management and the World Bank had hailed the business climate in Lapu-Lapu City.

In a 2008 survey called “Doing Business in the Philippines,” the AIM-WB ranked Lapu-Lapu City second on the list of cities that are easy to start business with.

Taguig City topped the survey while Cebu City grabbed the third spot.

At least P10 billion worth of investments poured into Lapu-Lapu City in 2008

The city, home to first-class resorts in Cebu, became a highly urbanized area in 2007. Two years later, it became a lone congressional district.

According to data, 60 percent of tourists in Cebu are staying in the Lapu-Lapu City.

Under the business-friendly award, the PCCI is recognizing provinces, cities and municipalities with good governance to promote trade and investment.

The search is conducted nationwide through the assistance of the PCCI’s local counterparts such as the CCCI.

Under the procedure, any business group can nominate any LGU to the PCCI.

The criteria stated that provinces should demonstrate leadership in promoting trade, investment and tourism.

For cities and municipalities, nominees should demonstrate business-friendly measures such as simplified business-related procedures.

In addition, nominees should have an investment promotion program, which may include investment incentive ordinances.

Winners will be awarded during next month’s 36th Philippine Business Conference in Manila.

President Aquino will grace the event. — /LPM (THE FREEMAN)