RP’s most business friendly city elevated to Hall of Fame

Quezon City has been elevated into the Hall of Fame by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) for earning the title of "Most Business Friendly City" in the country for three years in a row.

The Hall of Fame award, along with two other trophies, was presented to city officials by President Arroyo and PCCI head Ambassador Donald Dee during ceremonies at the Manila Hotel yesterday.

Quezon City is the first ever local government unit to receive the Hall of Fame Award from the country’s largest business organization. The city bested seven others in the said category.

The prestigious award was first launched in the year 2001 by PCCI to recognize efforts by cities or municipalities in adopting and implementing user-friendly, business-related procedures in their localities.

In selecting Quezon City, the PCCI considered the city’s adoption of business-friendly procedures, particularly in the issuance of business permits, building and occupancy permits and real property tax declaration, in line with the principles of simplicity, fairness, accuracy, transparency and speed.

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., accompanied by Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista and city treasurer Dr. Victor Endrga received three trophies, namely: Most Business Friendly City in the NCR, Most Business Friendly City in the Entire Country and the Most Business Friendly City Hall of Fame Award.

The awards committee was chaired by PCCI Chairman Emeritus Atty. Miguel Varela.

When Belmonte took over the helm of the city in 2001, his first project was the computerization of business registration and tax payments. He simplified business registration by setting up a tax and assessment lounges at City Hall.

He also conducted regular dialogues with the business community and pampered taxpayers by providing incentives so they would pay the right taxes on time.

With the innovations, the mayor transformed the city from a financially distressed local government to become the richest in the country, a distinction it has held for three years now.

Nathan Zulueta, chairman of the Quezon City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation said Quezon City, which he described as a thriving business and economic center, truly deserves the awards.

"During my presidency of the chamber I have seen how the administration of Mayor Belmonte worked hard to make innovations in serving the business community well. Not bad for a new mayor overseeing more than 80,000 business establishments," he said.