General Santos City is reinventing its approach to boost business in the city by leading a “Business Forum” to discuss the latest information and updates on the business front.
The initiative was jointly led by the local government’s City Public Information Office (CPIO), the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (GSCCCII), SM City General Santos, and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Region 12.
The monthly activity will specifically target the promotion of local businesses, particularly the city’s strong base, the established business sector, and the flourishing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Essentials to economic growth
GSCCCII president Miguel Rene Dominguez emphasized the importance of having a “sustained channel” to help maintain the positive momentum for General Santos City’s economy, highlighting the risk of sensationalized news eroding public confidence in the private or business sector.
He reminded the public and the local government that the private sector is the government’s development partner, as it is the backbone of development and economic growth.
“If we Generals (the moniker for the residents of Gensan), ourselves, are bombarded with stories about sensational news, then maybe we will have low confidence in our city. But if all of us start talking about what is good and what is great, then I think the confidence of the Generals themselves will be the biggest foundation to keep the momentum of Gensan going,” Dominguez said.
He also acknowledged the critical role of MSMEs, which make up 95 percent of the city’s businesses, and emphasized that the forum intends to incentivize local businesses while keeping the public informed about the city’s progress.
Newly-installed Regional Executive Director Roberto Perales of the Department of Agriculture in the Soccsksargen region also joined the discussion, committing his support to the Chamber and the business community in the region.
Meanwhile, representatives from the city government highlighted their efforts to streamline business processes, both for new applicants and renewals.
Jake Reyes, the city mayor’s executive assistant for economics, emphasized the significant improvement in business permit processing.
“Right now, online naman tayo diba, ‘yung iba nagkakaproblema lang daw kasi hindi pa kabisado ‘yung pag-navigate [we’re already online, but some people are just having trouble because they’re not yet familiar with navigating it], but once complete naman ang requirements [the requirements are complete] for renewal, it will take less than an hour, but for new business permits, it only takes less than 8 hours,” Reyes confirmed.
Importance of continuous improvement and collaboration
While acknowledging there’s room for further enhancement, participants like GSCCCII board member Ronald Velasquez expressed satisfaction with the progress and support for future initiatives.
“When I renewed my permits, I guess marami pang pwedeng ma-improve [there’s still much room for improvement]. It is better than before, but I think meron pa tayong gawin [there are still things we need to do] to attract more businesses. I’m happy that we’re doing something about it. It’s already satisfactory to me,” Velasquez said.
Dominguez challenged the city government’s resolve to go beyond regulation, saying, “If you really want to be competitive, we really have to show that the city is not only here as a regulator, but to push and mentor our private sector and our businesses for us to be successful.”
Head of the City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office (CEMCDO), Leonard Flores, reiterated the city government’s commitment to providing better services to their clients.
“That is our concrete demonstration of the mayor’s policy to improve and make the business environment satisfactory. Perhaps the one-hour turnaround time of a business permit to be issued to a particular applicant, maikli na yung isang oras [1-hour is already short],” Flores explained.
“We should reduce the processing time for business enterprises to less than 60 minutes in the future,” added Flores, citing that they are dedicated to promoting and implementing the “Ease of Doing Business,” or Republic Act 11032.
Flores also disclosed that recently, Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao issued a directive to all members of their business and licensing teams to ensure the adoption of necessary modalities, including online or virtual platforms, to expedite business processing in the city.
MinBizCon and other investment opportunities
Flores also informed the public about the upcoming 31st Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon), which the city will host through the GSCCCII on September 12–13 of this year.
According to him, the event intends to address business concerns and unlock further investment opportunities.
With its focus on collaboration, streamlined processes, and fostering a positive business environment, both the city government representatives and the business sector agreed that General Santos City stands to benefit from its gains, which may spell out economic prosperity and growth.
The city’s initiatives, like the Business Forum and MinBizCon hosting, demonstrate a long-term commitment to empowering local businesses and attracting new investors.
“We are thrilled to be hosting the Mindanao Business Conference after long years of hard work. Gensan is more than ready, compared to a decade ago, to welcome our visitors. With the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and our partners in the media sector, hopefully we will entertain and take good care of our visitors,” Flores conveyed.
“The opportunities are limitless,” added Dominguez, expressing confidence that General Santos City is poised for a bright future.
“There’s really no way but up!” he said. (HJPF – PIA SarGen)
