Cotabato City among country's most business friendly cities
Economic News • 18:19 PM Fri Oct 17, 2014
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By:
Edwin O. Fernandez
COTABATO CITY – The city of Cotabato now prides itself as one of
the three most Business Friendly City by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (PCCI).
Being in the top three and finalist is already an honor,” Mayor
Japal Guiani Jr said.
Out of the country’s 157 cities, three were chosen as finalists
after it qualified in various categories. Aside from Cotabato, also in the
final list of most business friendly city are San Fernando and Calamba cities.
Early this year, Cotabato City was ranked as the 39th
most competitive city by the National Competitiveness Council.
Speaking over DXMS Radyo Bida,Lawyer Cynthia Guiani Sayadi, Cotabato City administrator,
having chosen as among the top three citiesgives the city the most awaited honor
considering there are more than 100 cities competing.
At a news conference, Mayor Guiani said the city is implementing
LIFEE or Livelihood, Food, Education and Environment programs to make it
business friendly.
While the result is yet to be announced by PCCI, Mayor Guiani
was convinced the city will make it to the top.
Investments in the city soared in the past two years, the latest
of which is the upcoming banks, malls and SM corporation. He did not provide details on the new
investments.
Mayor Guiani had just arrived from Manila where he was
interviewed by the PCCI panel on the search.
Among the criteria in PCCI judging include tax collection, good
governance, transparency, sufficiency of services, availability of skilled
workers and basic servicing that the investors need such light, water,
transportation and telecommunication.
Awarding is set on October 25 in Manila.