Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the private business sector for keeping the local economy afloat amid the Covid-19 pandemic, saying they are the “lifeblood of the city”.
During the city’s first-ever Business Economy Forum 2022, Sotto recalled the difficulties the city’s economic sector faced brought by the pandemic.
He noted that five percent of businesses in Pasig filed for retirement in 2020 alone. Many were also bankrupted or were operating at a loss.
“But because we helped each other, you gave us advice, you acted on your own and did what you can, we pulled in our expertise and crafted policies to help stimulate the local economy,” Sotto said in his speech.
“Aside from the expertise, your time, contributing your talents and skills, and the different resources of the companies (like providing logistical support, vehicles, or financial aid), first and foremost, half of the income or budget of Pasig City comes directly from the business taxes. You are truly the lifeblood of our city,” Sotto stressed.
One of the primary duties of the local government is finding ways on how to make life easier for the business people of Pasig, which has been at the forefront of their agenda since 2019, the mayor added.
He also mentioned how the local government earned the title of “Most Business-Friendly LGU” in Metro Manila 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 last October.
Pasig's burgeoning economic sector was commended for its consistent support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and continued provision of job opportunities for citizens amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The local government’s efforts in establishing more public-private partnerships and various developmental clusters to achieve the “ease of doing business” in Pasig were also recognized.
The achievement was a sign that they were headed towards the right direction, he said.
However, he highlighted areas in which more work needed to be done.
These points for improvement include streamlining of the city’s business processes based on the business sector’s feedback and recommendations. These include amendments to the sanitation code, for instance, as well as reviews of business requirements, permits, and health certificates among others.
The local government also remains firm in its fight against corruption and red tape, particularly in business practices.
They are also working on strengthening the “ease of doing business” in the city, and developing digitization of processes, use of tools, and improving technologies.
“As we reach the new normal, mas magiging maganda pa po ang takbo ng pamahalaan at ekonomiya, mas lalago ang mga negosyo sa lungsod ng Pasig. Sisiguraduhin po natin na ang pag-unlad ng ating lungsod ay inklusibo, ibig sabihin kasama ang bawat Pasigueno (As we reach the new normal, the operations of our government and economy will be better, run smoother, and business will thrive even more in Pasig City. We will ensure that progress in our city is inclusive, meaning it includes every single Pasigueno),” Sotto said.
The Pasig City Local Economic Development and Investment Office (LEDIO), in partnership with the Pasig City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PC-CCI), held its first Business Economy Forum 2022 on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the Marco Polo Ortigas.
The event was attended by officials from the LEDIO, PC-CCI, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), along with representatives from the various companies and MSMEs in Pasig City.
The forum gathered members of the public and private sector to share and network as they help maintain a “business-friendly city.”
Sotto also presided over the oath-taking ceremonies of the local chamber’s officials during the event.