Bacolod regains biz sector confidence

BACOLOD City – Mayor Evelio Leonardia said that the business sector’s confidence in the city is evident in the number of business permit renewals.

Business permits registration in Bacolod recorded an all-time high of 23,187 in 2018, or an increase of 23.2 percent compared to the figures under the previous administration.

“This is a solid indicator that we have restored business confidence. Even the business world has taken notice of the business climate we have created in Bacolod as the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has listed us among the ‘most business-friendly cities’ in the country,” the mayor said.

“And as the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) has recognized our City as the ‘most competitive city in the Visayas,’  it is now our intention to attract more investments and sustain this growth momentum,” he added.

The 23,187 business permits registration in 2018 is 23.22 percent (4,370) higher than 18,817 in 2015; 24.62 percent (4,581) higher than 18,606 in 2014; and 25.63 percent (4,730) higher than 18,457 in 2013.

During Leonardia’s term in 2012, permits registration reached 18,959. When Puentevella took over, it decreased in 2013, and virtually flat lined in 2014 and in 2015.

As his campaign promise in 2016, Leonardia promised to restore business confidence and improve the business climate in the city.

By end of 2016, under the Leonardia administration, business permits registration increased to 19,021, and reached 22,004 in 2017.

As a testament of the business-friendly climate in Bacolod, the city government has received various awards from prestigious organizations in 2017 and 2018.

In 2017, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) recognized Bacolod as one of the Top 3 Most Business-Friendly LGUs in the country.

In the same year, “The Manila Times,” the oldest newspaper in the country, chose Bacolod as the Top Philippine Model City.

In 2018, Bacolod became a finalist again in the Most Business-Friendly LGUs Awards of the PCCI, and garnered first runner-up in “The Manila Times” Search for Top Philippine Model City, with a special recognition as Most Business-Friendly City.

Also in 2018, the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) ranked Bacolod 8th in the Most Competitive Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs) in the Philippines, and 1st in the Most Competitive HUCs in the Visayas.

Last year, Bacolod was also cited as one of the four-fastest growing cities in the Philippines in terms of property searches, according to Lamudi, an online real estate marketplace with operations in 34 countries.