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Bacolod City, Philippines Tuesday, September 25, 2012
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Bacolod finalist in
business friendly award

BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

Bacolod City is once again a national finalist for the 2012 Most Business Friendly LGU Awards for the city level 1 category from among the 140 cities of the Philippines.

Miguel Varela, chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in his letter dated September 21, invited Mayor Evelio Leonardia to attend the final judging on Sept. 27 in Manila.

The activity is in line with PCCI’s 38th Philippine Business Conference and Expo anchored on the theme: “One Global Filipino Investments and Governance, Pillars of Economic Growth” on October 10-12, 2012 at the Manila Hotel.

Leonardia recalled that in 2007 Bacolod was voted as the Most Business Friendly City in the Philippines.

In 2006, it won as Most Business Friendly City in the Visayas and last year, Bacolod was also a finalist.

Leonardia said "This is a testimony that we are consistent. The mere fact that we continue to be among the top of the 140 cities in the Philippines, is, I believe, is a feat in itself.”

Whatever happens in the screening or judging process, Bacolod City is already a winner, he said. “I hope this will enhance the image of Bacolod as an investment destination,” he added.

Leonardia said their detractors have claimed that investors are turned off because of the Revised Revenue Code.

On the other hand, he said, last year, during the deliberation on the judging for the Most Business Friendly City, City Administrator Roger Balo, who represented the city, was told by the panel, that some of them saw Bacolod recently and that, compared to what Bacolod had been some years ago, it has really improved tremendously.

“They saw for themselves that there is dynamism in the economy of Bacolod," Leonardia said.

The panel had also pointed out to Balo that what was lacking, was that Bacolod had not updated its Revenue Code, for 18 years, he said. “This time when we go back to face the panel of judges, we can already tell them that we have revised the Revenue Code,” he added.

Leonardia said he believes that this is something for Bacolod to celebrate, and that will definitely put Bacolod in the investment map of the Philippines.

“We are consistent, and being a finalist for so many years, competing against the 140 cities in the country, is something we can be very proud of,” he said.

Leonardia thanked the business community and all the other sectors in Bacolod saying that there can only be a friendly and healthy business, environment when everybody is cooperating.

So the credit should go to the people of Bacolod for this honor, which they deserve, he added.*CGS

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