BACOLOD City – The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) once again named this city as the “Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit” for 2021 by besting 10 other finalists in the highly-urbanized city (HUC) category of the nationwide search.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia received the award in a virtual ceremony yesterday attended by PCCI president, Ambassador Benedicto Yujuico and chamber chairperson, Alegria Limjoco at the PCCI Innovation Center at the Global City in Pasig.
The 2021 recognition came 14 years after the city won a similar accolade in 2007.
“This (award) reassures us that when this pandemic is over, we will all be back in business and we will row the boat together. We will accelerate. We will tread that road to recovery altogether. We thank you for this inspiration of being the Most Business-Friendly City outside of Metro Manila,” Leonardia said in his message of acceptance.
According to Leonardia, Bacolod’s first PCCI recognition in 2007 was a major factor that attracted big investments.
PCCI Awards Committee cited the Bacolod City government for its efforts to keep the local economy afloat despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.
It also recognized the innovations and timely interventions made by the LGU in support to local businesses at the height of the health crisis, including the 24-hour vaccination drive for those in the business process outsourcing sector and the service industry, as well as the mobile vaccination campaign that inoculated thousands of vendors in major public markets and public utility vehicle drivers, among others.
The other finalists in the same category were Baguio City, Angeles City, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City, General Santos City, Iloilo City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Olongapo City and Zamboanga City.
Previously, the Department of Interior and Local Government recognized the city government with a Seal of Good Local Governance, a measure that gives local government units and their employees incentives or performance-based bonus./PN
