‘Gov’t changing LGUs’ mindset to be friendly to investors’

Manila, Philippines – President Aquino gave assurance yesterday that his administration was working to change the mindset of local government units (LGUs) and empower them so they would become more business-friendly.

“We are working on really upgrading also the local government units. We want a change in mentality from ‘what gets me elected’ to ‘what is good for the long-term benefits of the community.’ And some of it might be counter intuitive to those who keep on remembering that they have to run again every three years,” the President said during the Wallace Business Forum Quarterly Roundtable in Makati City on Wednesday.

The President acknowledged that there are LGUs that were extremely unfriendly to investors, forcing companies to relocate to other areas in the Philippines.

But there are improvements, he said, citing a recent Social Weather Stations survey showing a 24-percent increase in positive perception in the issuance of local permits by city and municipal governments.

He said there was 73-percent satisfaction rating in the performance of LGUs in processing business documents such as permits and licenses.

“So it is a work in progress. There are various programs that encourage positive behavior from the LGUs, getting the good housekeeping,” he said. –Aurea Calica (The Philippine Star)