“Business as usual is over. Governance is no longer business as usual.”

The DILG Regional Office VI together with the Local Government Academy (LGA) conducted a three-day training on “Building Business-Friendly and Competitive LGUs: Rebuilding Business and Consumer Confidence in the New Normal” at Nature’s Village Resort, Talisay City, Negros Occidental last April 18-20, 2023.

Dr. Aser Javier, a consultant of the LGA in local economic development (LED), was the key resource person for identifying LGU capacities in enabling businesses and enhancing economic development in their communities. Workshops were conducted to profile LGU economic drivers and enumerate potential investments.

The second day of the training was devoted to field visits to the cities of Bacolod and Victorias in order to learn about the various initiatives, efforts, and innovations of the local governments in making their cities more business-friendly and competitive.

Bacolod City presented their innovation called the “Electronic Business Integrated System,” wherein business owners can easily apply or renew and pay fees without the need to go to city hall. The city also shared their journey in launching the “Paleng-QR PH Plus Program” to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises and consumers, particularly in public markets and local transportation hubs, to go digital and have the opportunity to accept and pay through online payment. As of April 19, 2023, more than a thousand businesses had adopted the Paleng-QR PH Plus in Bacolod City’s main public markets.

Victorias City, on the other hand, presented their “SMART City Application,” which was developed in collaboration with the Information Technology Business Solutions Corporation. This app has numerous but integrated features, ranging from business registration to emergency hotline services. Victorias City also showcased their “Government Property and Document Tracking Systems” which improved the efficiency of the internal operations of the city government.

On the final day of training, all participating LGUs reported their proposed Competitiveness Plans, which were amplified and synthesized by Ms. Ellen Marie Jandoni, a consultant and policy researcher.

This activity was co-facilitated with DILG Bacolod City and DILG Negros Occidental.#