Tagum City in Davao Del Norte has been named as the Most Business-Friendly Local government Unit (LGU) in the Philippines for the second time during the 47th Philippine Business Conference and Expo.
Mayor Allan Rellon said the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) conferred the distinction due to Tagum City’s four strategies in overcoming the challenges brought by the pandemic especially on the business sector – Tax Relief, Effective Crisis Management and Response, Helping the Workforce, and Investment.
“The award is set to increase the capability of Tagum City to handle bigger investments,” said Rellon.
For Tax Relief, the city passed two important ordinances; City Ordinance no. 940 s. – 2020 offering tax payment relief and City Ordinance no. 978 s. – 2020 temporarily suspending the rental fees in the City Economic Enterprises.
Moreover, a 10-percent discount was given to taxpayers who paid in the first quarter and no surcharges and interests were given to those who paid in the second quarter and beyond the due date.
“It is the second time that the city received the recognition which proves the LGU’s dedication in innovating to increase the business operation in the city.”
“It is the second time that the city received the recognition which proves the LGU’s dedication in innovating to increase the business operation in the city,” he stressed.
Rellon added the LGU was also one of the cities that mobilized their COVID-19 City Task Force earlier than the others which made it easier for the government and business community to collaborate on the implementation of localized guidelines, easing curfew hours to lengthen the operating hours of business, and real-time updating of policies.
To ensure the safety of the workers and consumers/customers, 49,430 Tagumenyo essential workers were able to get their vaccines through the City Health Office (CHO).
The LGU provided job opportunities through TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) and Grow Micro Programs which targeted displaced employees as well.
“Public infrastructure is a local economic stimulus.”
“Lastly, infrastructure projects did not stop amidst the pandemic as the city believes that public infrastructure is a local economic stimulus,” Rellon concluded.
