Trade chief: Satisfaction high among ecozone locators

To improve the country’s low standings in competitiveness surveys, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo said pollsters should include firms located in economic zones.

Domingo said locators in the country’s economic zones have very high satisfaction ratings when it comes to doing business and that the revenues coming from economic zones have a high impact on the country’s economy.

Domingo, who spoke recently at the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) general membership meeting, said electronics and business process outsourcing sectors operating in these economic zones are responsible for the fastest and largest growth and have a combined 1.2 million direct workers.

He said there are two kinds of business environments in the country — the first under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) and those that depend on local government units.

While business under Peza areas experience ease in doing business, Domingo admitted that not all LGUs make it easy for entrepreneurs to do business.

Domingo said attracting big business to relocate to the Philippines is difficult with poor ratings in competitiveness surveying bodies so he wants to include Peza locators in conducting these surveys.

Still, he assured they have initiated several programs to make LGUs provide a business friendly environment by setting standards on cost and time in the business permit licensing system.

So far, 120 LGUs have enrolled in the program. The administration is targeting 400 LGUs for this program.

An issue they identified when it came to releasing permits was the delay in getting fire licenses. Domingo assured they are trying to address this.

Aside from convincing research institutions to include Peza locators in their studies, Domingo added they managed to convince them to survey companies in Quezon City rather than in Manila because this is where the most number of establishments are registered.

Since economic zones enjoy easier business processes, Domingo also said they are working with the Peza board to create domestic ecozones.

Domingo said some guidelines are still being finalized by the Peza board and they are studying how it would benefit LGUs so they will agree to waive their rights to collect taxes and imposed permits in exchange for benefits. –Ayen Infante, Daily Tribune