The Pasig City local government unit (LGU) was hailed as the "Most Business-Friendly LGU" in the National Capital Region (NCR) under the Level A1 or Highly Urbanized Cities category by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) at the 48th Philippine Business Conference and Expo held on Thursday, Oct. 20.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and City Administrator Jeronimo Manzanero received the plaque of recognition from President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. at the expo’s culminating ceremony at the Manila Hotel.
The Most Business-Friendly LGU award also went to the LGUs of Pakil, Laguna; Kapalong, Davao Del Norte; Tagbiliran City, Bohol; General Trias City, Cavite; Mandaue City, Cebu; and the provincial government of Bulacan.
The Most Business-Friendly LGU award was given to LGUs that have advocated and implemented policies and programs to revive and strengthen business relations and operations in their localities amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Pasig City was recognized for strengthening public-private partnerships and establishing multi-sectoral economic development clusters led by the City Administrator's Office and Business Permits and Licensing Department that facilitated ease in doing business.
Despite economic challenges brought about by the pandemic, the Pasig LGU has consistently supported micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and provided Paisgueños with job opportunities.
The award was hailed by Sotto as "the most fulfilling honor" he has received in his three years of service as mayor of Pasig.
“Hindi lang ito parangal para sa isang tao, kundi pagkilala sa tagumpay ng pamahalaang lungsod. Nakamit natin ito sa pagsusumikap ng iba't ibang opisina at indibidwal para maisakatuparan ang mga reporma tungo sa mabuting paggogobyerno na hinahangad nating lahat (This is not an honor bestowed upon a single person, but is a recognition of the triumph of the whole city government. We have achieved this through the diligence of different offices and individuals who have worked for reforms towards the kind of good governance we wish to attain),” Sotto said.
"In three years, we have reduced the number of steps to get permits, established a business one stop shop for the central business district, entrapped corrupt officials, and so much more," he added.
The mayor assured that conducting business in Pasig will be even easier in the coming months, through the business one-stop shops, the “systems and physical improvements” in the Office of the Building Officials, and capacity development training for personnel.
The 48th Philippine Business Conference and Expo was held from Oct. 19 to 20, gathering policymakers, business industry experts, and other stakeholders to engage and exchange policies and programs crucial to economic recovery and development.