CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, October 20 (PIA)–Calbayog City Mayor Ronaldo Aquino proudly claimed that since his reign as the mayor, investment in the city has reached Php1.5 billion pesos.
This is one of his statements during his “Kasayuran” address: the mayor’s state of the city address on Monday.
Hi speech, delivered 75% in the dialect, would also switch to English sometimes for emphasis.
“This means that every month, we are getting some investments of Php300-M pesos.”
He cited that the data comes from the Business and Licensing Office that bared the city is getting Php3- a year.
With optimism, he said that the figure may still go up the ladder with the opening of some business and commercial centers in the city.
He credited the soaring investment climate to the business friendly atmosphere in the city and the trust that investors have on the local government.
Contributory to the brisk economic activity is the simplified business process that his city prescribes.
“We have significantly shortened the processing time of permits and licenses,” he told the jampacked Sports Center, filled with Pantawid beneficiaries, Barangay folks the business community, bankers, the religious sector, academe, civic groups and just about any Calbayognon who came to listen to “An Kasayuran.” (roughly translated as the truth)
“We have also instituted Deed of Undertaking for less urgent requirements as prescribed by the Philippine Tax Academy,” the mayor explained.
He said that the local government is also refining the Local Investment Code to offer incentives and draw more investors.
With the influx of investments, the mayor said that in the next few years, the local government can create an investment office and a stronger investment board.
Although the mayor did not include in his speech, some national offices like the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes, the BIR and Pag-ibig have been lured to establish offices in Calbayog City free of lots provided by the LGU.
In turn the offices drew patrons spending their money in the 3rd largest city in the country. (ajc/PIA8-Samar)
