QC launches business registry data bank

The Quezon City government and Quezon City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation (QCCCIF) have announced the completion of the Quezon City Business Registry Data Bank, aimed at promoting and expanding trade and investments in the city through electronic information networking as well as facilitate business partnerships among city entrepreneurs.

Quezon City, under the stewardship of Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., is the first local government unit in the country to set up the interactive business data bank.

Now on line and operational, the data bank, which can be accessed through the website www.qcbizregistry.com.ph, provides business statistics such as groupings and business classifications.

The website was launched last Oct. 12 in time for the 66th foundation anniversary of the city.

Manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, contractors, and other types of businesses can now be accessed through the facilities of ePLDT, which hosts the website and PLDT DSL, the Internet provider.

The project aims to develop a data system that will electronically store information of local business establishments. It will be the main repository of business data in the city

QCCCIF chairman Nathan Zulueta said all business related ordinances, the city revenue code, mechanics and requirements for business registrations and renewals can be accessed through the site.

"Information is an essential tool in business and can guide an individual in business decisions such as expansion, business development, marketing, downsizing and even mergers," he said.

City demographics essential in business decisions are also available in the data bank.

Data and statistics generated by the project will guide the government and private support institutions in policy formulation and program development. Expected to benefit from the project are foreign investors, entrepreneurs, chambers of commerce, NGOs, research groups, academe, trade and industry, especially those the SME sector.

Through the data system, the local government can easily determine the business establishments and locate districts, down to the barangay level, as well as type of businesses.

All the 142 barangays in the city will now have a uniform database of business establishments operating in their areas. The city government plans to have all barangay halls in the city fully integrated on line.

There are now approximately 49,420 registered active business establishments in Quezon City, contributing almost P2 billion in business taxes to the local treasury.

Information regarding the online registration to the data bank can be obtained at Suite 805 Prince Jun Condominium, 42 Timog Avenue, Quezon City at telephone nos. 3714519 and 3714575.

Programs Eyed To Aid Informal Business Sector

The Quezon City government is reaching out to informal business sector, including unregistered hawkers to bring them into the mainstream business community, where they can avail of basic services and access to credit facilities for their businesses.

Belmonte directed the city’s Market Development and Administration Department to submit a report on the city’s underground economy. He said

programs should be conceptualized to identify and legitimize these traders and provide a way for them to access legitimate credit.

The mayor said those in the underground economy have no access to services and facilities because their permits are not issued by the city government but by barangay tanods in exchange for consideration.

"They usually pay a big price for this because they are often victims of harassment from these people," the mayor said.

Belmonte created a seven-man panel, headed by senior adviser and former Budget Secretary Salvador Enriquez, to work and prepare the program for the underground economy.

The mayor issued the directive as the City Council approved an ordinance which encouraged traders to come out so they can be protected as well as have their businesses legitimized.

Council Majority Leader Ariel Inton, principal author of the ordinance, said there are almost 3,000 hawkers in the city’s seven public markets.