Bacolod gets special biz citation

The League of Cities of the Philippines headed by national president Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia (seated in front, 5th from left) and League of Provinces of the Philippines, headed by Marinduque Gov. Presbitero Velasco Jr. (standing, front) meet with President Rodrigo Duterte and Cabinet secretaries in Malacañang Palace recently to discuss the expanded Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) as decided by the Supreme Court in the Mandanas case. Leonardia said the LCP is exploring with the President the proposal for the monetization of incremental IRA for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021. (Contributed photo)

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia is set to receive the special citation will be received  during the awarding ceremony today,  Oct. 16, 2019, at the Manila Hotel as part of the 45th Philippine Business Conference and Expo.

For the third straight year, the City of Bacolod will receive a special citation as a national finalist in the 2019 Most Business–Friendly LGU (Local Government Unit) Awards spearheaded by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).

“We are happy that we are being consistently recognized for our business-friendly environment by prestigious organizations like the PCCI. This recognition inspires us to do more,” Leonardia said

In 2007, also during the administration of Leonardia, the PCCI had chosen Bacolod as the “Most Business-Friendly City” in the country.

On Oct. 2, Leonardia led the Bacolod delegation at the final judging of the Most Business-Friendly LGU Awards at the PCCI Headquarters in Taguig City, Metro Manila.

The mayor delivered a 5-minute video presentation before the PCCI judges on Bacolod’s accomplishments and initiatives in the four award-criteria under essential indicators, and answered questions from the panel of judges.

These indicators are: (1) Fast-tracking Sustainable Local Economic Development (LED); (2) Improvement of Ease of Doing Business (EODB); (3) Investment Promotion Initiatives; and (4) Initiatives to Enhance Industry/ Sectoral Competitiveness.

In 2018, the PCCI awarded Bacolod a Special Citation in the Most Business-Friendly LGU Awards under the City Level 1 category.

In 2017, Bacolod was one of the Top 3 finalists in the same contest. It was the only highly urbanized city (HUC) outside of Metro Manila included in the Top 3.