The Quezon City government announced on Wednesday, Sept. 28, that it will host a business investment summit on Oct. 7, which will serve as a venue for city officials to meet with investors, business leaders and associations, chambers of commerce, and foreign dignitaries, in line with its goal to boost investor confidence in the city.
Perry Dominguez, head of the summit’s organizing committee, said that through the one-day event, they are aiming to generate investments for the city, build partnerships favorable to all resident, and make Quezon City the top-of-mind preferred investment destination.
“Higher business confidence leads to jobs, higher productivity, increased labor demand, and accelerated economic growth. Our constant coordination with the business community enables us to foster a relationship of mutual respect and support,” Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
The city government said that through the summit, it can engage with business leaders and seek their views on policies and programs for the mutual benefit of the local government and the private sector.
It added that it will also present its "ease of doing business” initiatives and plans to enhance its business climate during the event.
Quezon City, under the leadership of Mayor Belmonte, has received more than 80 awards and recognition from the national government, private sector, and the international community.
Belmonte believes that the city’s giant strides in improving social services for the people were made possible by the free, fair, and fertile business environment which facilitated the flow of revenue into the city and helped address the concerns of her constituents.
The local government said the mayor is pursuing five major thrusts that will increase investor confidence in the city. These are social services for all, economic development, environmental sustainability, gold standard infrastructure projects, and sustained good governance.
“One of our major thrusts is that social services for all are guaranteed. Every year, we progressively increase the budget dedicated to social services. We started with a budget of P9.8 billion in 2019. This year, our budget is at P16.1 billion which has proven to be an inclusive social safety net for all marginalized and underprivileged sectors,” Belmonte said.
The local government said that under economic development, the mayor assured the continuous automation and digitization of the city’s services which are geared towards the further enhancement of the “ease of doing business” and eliminating corruption.
The city government has already migrated most of its manual services online, including assessments, payment of business and real property taxes, applying for business permits, college scholarships, and birth registration.
It said that good governance in the mayor’s administration is underscored by zero tolerance for corruption, bringing the city government’s services closer to the residents, and enhancement of skills and knowledge of government personnel, barangay officials, and People’s Council members.
The business investment summit will be held at the Novotel Manila, Araneta City, in Quezon City.