Leyte is RP’s most business-friendly province for second time

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
October 17, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The province of Leyte in Eastern Visayas region has once again proclaimed as the Most Business-Friendly Province of the Philippines.

Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla personally received the award during the Awards Rites held at 9:00 o’clock in the morning of October 15, from no less than President Benigno S. Aquino III.

The awarding Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit Awards was one of the highlight of the three-day Philippine Business Conference held at the Manila Hotel.

Last year, on October 21, also at the historic Manila Hotel, Governor Petilla received the first Most Business-Friendly Province Award of the Philippines.

The province of Leyte under the leadership of Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, has been promoting trade and investment not only in for Leyte but also for the entire Region 8.

Perhaps, a very good proof for its being business-friendly is the passage of the Leyte Investment Code and the institutionalization of the Leyte Province Business Month celebration every October of each year.

The province of Leyte has been in constant collaboration with the business sector of the province thru the Leyte Chamber of Commerce. In fact the SME Development Center was constructed with the partnership between the Leyte Chamber members who donated the money needed for the renovation of the Old Prison to the SMED Center. The Leyte SMED Council is chaired by the LCCI.

In order to assist starting entrepreneurs in the field of Information Technology, Governor Petilla in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology, launched the Technology Business Incubator at the ICOT Park which is a PEZA Zone.

The starting entrepreneurs are provided six months free office space and equipment facilities, business development and technical services.

The Most Business-Friendly LGU Award seeks to recognize municipalities, cities and provinces for their efforts in instituting good governance in promoting trade and investment such as innovative and sound business licensing procedures, and efficient conduct of daily operations.

The award highlights the best practices of local government units that promote the growth of businesses, including investment promotion and streamlining of procedures for issuance of business permits in the most expedient, efficient and friendly manner. This is seen to significantly help lower the cost of doing business in the country.

The Search for the Most Business Friendly LGU Awards which has three categories namely, Province Level 1: 1st - 3rd class provinces and Level 2: 4th - 6th class provinces; City Level 1: 1st-3rd class cities and level 2 for 4th-6th class cities; and the Municipality Level 1 for 1st -3rd class municipalities and Level 2 for 4th -6th class municipalities.

The awards criteria for the province level are Trade, Investment & Tourism Promotion; Quality Management and Innovation; MSME Development; Public-Private Sector Partnership; and Inter-Local Government Relations.