BACOLOD City – The number of businesses registered the city increased in first quarter of 2019 compared to that in 2018, based on data of the Permits and Licensing Division.
Almost 17,000 business establishments have registered in the first month of 2019, said division head Stela Rose Rayos on Monday.
The total registration showed an increase of 6 percent at 16,994, which is 923 more than the 16,071 listed for the same period in 2018, she added.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia said if the trend continues, Bacolod will have another record-breaking year in terms of business registration figures.
“This is very encouraging and we will pursue this to the hilt. We appeal to all concerned to help us achieve this,” Leonardia said.
By the end of 2018, the annual business registrations in Bacolod totaled 23,187, which was about 5.33 percent higher than the 22,004 establishments registered in that of 2017.
Leonardia added the city government continues to improve the ease of doing business and attract new investments.
“This is the core of our intensified campaign to establish Bacolod as one of the ‘most business-friendly cities in the country,” he said.
The Business One-Stop-Shop, which run from January to February, caters to more investors to register their businesses.
Business taxpayers will also avail a 10-percent discount when they pay full within the period. (PNA/PN)
