THE BUSINESS sector continues to rally behind the Climaco administration and even nominated the local government for the “2021 Most Business-Friendly LGU Award.”
Both the Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc. (ZCCIFI) and the Southern Philippines Deep Sea Fishing Association Inc. (SOPHIL) nominated the City Government for the prestigious event held annually.
The nomination shows the strong partnership between the business sector and the local government. The ZCCIFI is headed by its president, Pedro Rufo Soliven; and the SOPHIL, by its president Jaydrick Johnson Yap.
Soliven and Yap have cited the Climaco administration’s business-friendly efforts, especially during this time of the Covid-19 pandemic, in nominating the local government.
In 2019, the Philippine Chamber
of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) also cited the City Government and recognized
its efforts in streamlining business processes. PCCI awarded the local
government with a “special citation” during the 45th Philippine Business
Conference and Expo held at the Manila Hotel.
Zamboanga City was also a finalist in the “2020 Business-Friendly LGU Award”.
City Administrator Apple Go represented the local government during the
awarding ceremony. She said the special recognition exemplifies the commendable
initiatives of the Climaco administration towards good governance reforms that
promote trade and investments and significantly contribute to local economic
development.
The PCCI also noted the efforts of the local government which resulted to a
significant increase in new business enterprises in Zamboanga. From 2018-2019,
Zamboanga City posted a 74% increase in the number of approved business permits
for new business applications and also recorded a 182% increase in the number of
approved business renewals.
Climaco said the local government is pursuing business-friendly strategies
aimed at further improving business sector confidence.
Even Commissioner Aileen Lourdes Lizada, of the Civil Service Commission, also
praised the Climaco administration during an unannounced inspection in 2019 to
check on compliance of civil service rules in government offices. Lizada, who
also visited other regions in the country, noted a number of “best practices”
at Zamboanga City Hall during her group’s inspection. One of them is the
wearing of identification cards by civil workers with Climaco as the best
example.
She also said the Public Assistance Desk at the main entrance of City Hall is
very responsive to the public and the presence of an institutionalized human
resource department at City Hall, among others.
Prior to the
pandemic, Zamboanga City enjoyed a strong economy as influx of trade and
investments add to the already robust business climate in the area. Proof of
this is the steady flow of investors to Zamboanga, a major trading hub in
southern Philippines, owing to the efforts of the local government in making
this southern port city business-friendly.
The ease of making
business here — compared to the previous decades — is far better, according to
traders, who cited local government’s efforts in attracting investors not only
from other parts of the country, but overseas as well.
But even during the
pandemic, SM opened its shopping mall in Zamboanga City which is the first in
the western Mindanao region. Climaco personally thanked Hans Sy, Chairman of
the Executive Committee of SM Prime, for investing in Zamboanga City.
AirAsia Philippines
also opened its maiden flight from Manila to Zamboanga City last year.
Climaco said amid the health crisis, AirAsia fulfilled its promise to
serve Zamboangueños because of the City's potential and strong
governance. It also cemented Climaco’s efforts in attracting traders and
businessmen to put up investments in Zamboanga City despite the pandemic.
The mayor
praised AirAsia Philippines Chairman of
the Board, lawyer Jomar Castillo; and AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla, who
thanked Climaco, saying “all of this would not have been possible without the
initiatives of the Zamboanga City Government, who took on a decisive role in
discussions with us to establish this route. For this, we are truly grateful.”
And in October
2018, a prominent lawyer, Linda Lim, who is also chief executive officer and
president of the oldest and largest universities in Mindanao — the Universidad
de Zamboanga — also cited the vigorous business climate and the leadership of
Climaco that played a key role in the huge improvement and development of
Zamboanga as a city.
In a speech during
the 70th founding celebration of the university which coincided with the Parade
of Lights during the Zamboanga La Hermosa Festival, Lim said: “We will carry
on, continue to move on and continue to serve our community, especially under
the leadership of Mayor Beng.”
“It is only under her leadership that Zamboanga saw a flux of investments, we can see all investments coming in, we can feel it, not only see it. As of now, Zamboanga City ranks among the top cities with the largest accumulation of wealth in the whole Philippines and that can only happen under the leadership of Mayor Beng… it is only under this kind of leadership that Zamboanga can continue to move on,” she said. (Zamboanga Post)
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